Media under pressure: How to counteract democratic backsliding across Europe

Media under pressure: How to counteract democratic backsliding across Europe

This event hosted by UK think tank the Foreign Policy Centre discusses counteracting democratic backsliding across Europe.

As part of World Press Freedom Day 2026, the Foreign Policy Centre (FPC), the Centre for Freedom of the Media (CFOM) at the University of Sheffield, and the Centre for Journalism and Democracy at City St George’s, University of London, with the support of Wiggin, invite you to join the launch webinar of the ‘Media Freedom Under Threat’ series. This series brings together leading experts to examine the most pressing challenges facing media freedom and the safety of journalists today.

The opening discussion focuses on democratic backsliding across Europe, as right-wing populist movements gain ground in countries such as Italy, Slovakia, France, Germany and the UK. When in power they seek to tighten control over the flow of information, putting financial pressure on independent newsrooms, restricting access for journalists, and allowing dis-and-mis-information to flourish.

This webinar will examine these growing challenges and draw insights from those already navigating severe crackdowns on press freedom. It will also explore recent political shifts, including the electoral defeat in Hungary of Viktor Orban, and consider what lessons can be learned on how to challenge populist rule.

Speakers

András Pethő – Director, Co-founder, and Editor, Direkt36

Adelaide Lopez – Partner, Wiggin

Fiona O’Brien – Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Professor Mel Bunce – Director, Centre for Journalism and Democracy, City St. George’s, University of London (Chair)