The Role of Media in Times of Radical Political Change: Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia

Background
Media is at the forefront of political change—whether from liberal to illiberal systems or vice versa. It serves as a powerful tool to inform and influence citizens. But what happens when illiberal regimes are defeated, and expectations are high? What happens when illiberal governments come to power?

Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary offer valuable experience in this regard.

Public broadcasters are often among the first targets during periods of radical political change. What should be done with media institutions during such transformations?

Should laws be changed, or is the key issue of their implementation? To what extent does change depend on individuals? Should journalists associated with propaganda be dismissed or sidelined? What happens when propagandists change their reporting? Can public broadcasters survive major political shifts? Can the same media system endure? How can an unbiased approach be maintained in a deeply divided society?

European Contexts speakers bring firsthand experience to these questions.

Speakers
Zuzanna Dąbrowska is Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Polish News Agency (PAP). She previously worked as a journalist and commentator forRzeczpospolita. She has contributed to various public and private media outlets and participated in Poland’s democratic transition. She has received a decoration for her outstanding contributions to this process. She lives in Warsaw.

Gábor Polyák is Professor of Media Law and Media Policy and Head of the Media and Communication Department at Eötvös Loránd University. He is also a senior research fellow at the Institute for Legal Studies of the Centre for Social Sciences and a researcher at Mérték Media Monitor, a Hungarian NGO focusing on media policy issues. He lives in Budapest.

Róbert Vági is Deputy CEO of Central Media Group, one of Hungary’s largest independent media companies. He has been actively involved in industry representation, serving as a board member of IAB Hungary from 2019 to 2021 and again since 2025. For many years, he has been featured on the Top 50 Most Influential Media Executives list published by Marketing & Media magazine. He lives in Budapest.

Filip Struhárik is a reporter and editor at the Slovak newspaper Denník N. He covers media, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence. He lives in Bratislava.

Moderator
Mirjana Tomic, fjum / Presseclub Concordia