Earlier this month, we recorded a special episode of Eyes on Democracy at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland — one of the most important European gatherings on political and economic issues. The episode carried the title of the joint declaration issued by several leading organizations: “At the Crossroads: Defending Media Freedom Starts in Eastern Europe.”

Freedom of the press is under siege. Populist movements, disinformation, propaganda, and hate speech are undermining democracy, while Russia’s hybrid war continues to target Europe. Against this backdrop, our panel reflected on why independent journalism remains the strongest defense of democratic societies and why Europe urgently needs to act.

The discussion brought together voices with decades of experience and commitment: Mika Beuster, President of the German Journalists’ Association (DJV); Wolfgang Ressmann, Head of Media Dialogue and Chair of the New European People’s Forum; Roger Casale, from the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine; and Lina Kushch, First Secretary of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU). The conversation was moderated by Jabir Deralla of CIVIL.

Over the course of the dialogue, the participants warned of the growing influence of disinformation and hate speech, as well as populist pressures that are silencing independent journalism in Eastern Europe. They called for Europe to defend press freedom as a cornerstone of democracy and to build genuine digital sovereignty by investing in independent search engines, social networks, and media platforms free from the influence of Silicon Valley billionaires, Beijing’s party control, or the Kremlin’s autocratic grip.

Particular attention was devoted to the role of Ukraine, where journalists continue to work under conditions of extreme danger. Supporting these frontline reporters is not only a moral duty but also a strategic necessity in the wider struggle for truth in Europe.

The message of the episode and the declaration is clear: defending media freedom is defending democracy itself. The fight for free, independent journalism in Eastern Europe is not a regional concern, but a battle for the future of Europe as a whole.

Watch the full episode of Eyes on Democracy here: