At the Crossroads: Eyes on Democracy Podcast (Episode 3)

Defending Media Freedom Starts in Eastern Europe

Sunday, 28 September 2025

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. Independent journalism remains our strongest defence.

In this special episode, recorded at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland, on September 3, 2025, we present our joint declaration “At the Crossroads: Defending Media Freedom Starts in Eastern Europe.”

Together, we explore the urgent need to defend media freedom, resist populism, and build resilient media systems for the future of Europe.  

Speakers on this podcast are:

MIKA BEUSTER (German Journalists’ Association)

DR WOLFGANG RESSMANN  (Media Dialogue and NEPF)

ROGER CASALE  (Westminster Alliance for Ukraine and NEPF)

LINA KUSHCH (National Union of Journalists of Ukraine)

JABIR DERALLA (Civil) - Moderator

The declaration is jointly supported by:

Media Dialogue, the German Journalists’ Association (DJV), New European People’s Forum, the Defending Democracy Global Initiative, the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine, and CIVIL – Center for Freedom.

About us

New European People's Forum is an initiative focused on defending democracy and human rights in Europe.

Our forum serves as a platform for discussion, collaboration, and advocacy related to these fundamental principles.

We are collaborating with Media Dialogue (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)and Civil - Center for Freedom (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)on the Defending Democracy Global Initiative. (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)

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