MEMO98
facebook instagram x youtube linkedin

All articles

Slovakia Slovakia

252

[Russian Law] The Constitutional Court ruled that the law is unconstitutional

On 17 December, the Constitutional Court ruled that the amendment to the law defining the legal regulation of NGOs, effective from June 2025, is unconstitutional. Robert Dobrovodský, Slovak Ombudsman, who challenged the law at the Constitutional Court considers it "to be fundamental for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, confirming that Slovakia remains a country where citizens have clear guarantees against state power".

Ivan Godársky
Moldova Moldova

391

Moldova Story: How a Small Republic Resisted Hybrid War

A former Soviet republic on Europe’s eastern flank found itself playing David against a Goliath of foreign interference. Holding the ground, Moldova has become a demonstration of what the EU Democracy Shield seeks to achieve.

Rasťo Kužel
Switzerland Switzerland

422

MEMO 98 at the 20th Anniversary of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation

MEMO 98 participated in the Implementation Meeting of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, marking global commitment to credible, impartial, and professional election observation. While not a signatory to the Declaration, we fully support its principles and have contributed to discussions on how election observation must adapt to digital threats, including disinformation, artificial intelligence, cyberattacks, and the growing influence of social media platforms on elections.

Rasťo Kužel
Belgium Belgium

628

MEMO 98 Joins the European Partnership for Democracy

MEMO 98 is proud to become part of the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) — a unique Brussels-based network of specialist organisations working together to strengthen democracy worldwide

Rasťo Kužel
Slovakia Slovakia

981

[Press Freedom Predators 2025] Slovak PM Fico listed

For International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, celebrated on 2 November, Reporters Without Borders unveiled 34 press freedom predators who attacked journalists and the right to information in 2025. Slovak PM Robert Fico was listed among predators who apply social pressure - those who smear media and promote mistrust of journalists.

Ivan Godársky
Czech Republic Czech Republic

707

Elections as a Double-Edged Sword: Strengthening Democracy or Enabling Autocracy?

At the 29th Forum 2000 Conference in Prague, MEMO 98 and EPDE hosted a panel on how elections are increasingly used as tools of authoritarian control. Experts from Slovakia, Georgia, Moldova, and Kenya discussed new threats to electoral integrity and the need for stronger democratic alliances and innovation in election observation.

Rasťo Kužel
European Union European Union

3623

[TTPA] Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising

The TTPA Regulation (EU) that applies as of today aims to contribute to the proper functioning of the internal market for political advertising and to support open and fair political debate. It addresses the concerns related to information manipulation and foreign interference in elections, along with the processing of personal data for political advertising purposes.

Ivan Godársky
Slovakia Slovakia

1644

[Russian Law] Ombudsman challenges the anti-NGO law at the Constitutional Court

Mr. Dobrovodský (Slovak Ombudsman) protests against the discriminatory nature of the law approved by the coalition and signed by President Pellegrini. According to the Ombudsman's motion, certain parts of the law undermine the principle of freedom, prevent civil society from participating in public life, and introduce disproportionate state intervention that enables "spying."

Ivan Godársky
North Macedonia North Macedonia

1262

Supporting media in Southeast Europe on climate and disaster reporting

As extreme weather events grow more frequent across Southeast Europe, newsrooms are struggling to keep pace. News stories about disasters remain largely reactive, driven by urgency rather than preparedness. Few media outlets have formal internal disaster management strategies or plans.

Rasťo Kužel
Slovakia Slovakia

2276

Gendered disinformation in Slovakia and Czechia

This joint report by MEMO 98 and Women in Media examines how gendered disinformation in Slovakia and Czechia intimidates, polarises, and undermines democracy. It answers four key questions: what these attacks look like, who spreads them (and why), what impact they have—and how we can build resilience at national, institutional, and personal levels.

Rasťo Kužel
Slovakia Slovakia

2102

The Two Faces of Elections: The Democracy vs. Populism Paradox

Elections should protect democracy – but increasingly, they are used to undermine it. In this Visegrad Insight long-read, Dr. Beata Martin-Rozumiłowicz and Rasťo Kužel examine how populists in Poland, Slovakia and the US exploit elections to gain power and erode institutions. They highlight why defending electoral integrity and rebuilding public trust are now more vital than ever.

Rasťo Kužel
Slovakia Slovakia

2961

[Digital News Report 2025 - Slovakia] Public Broadcaster's State Capture. Its Trust has Rapidly Declined

Overall trust in the Slovak traditional media brands saw a general decline. Nevertheless, 10 out of 15 monitored brands still enjoy higher trust than distrust. At the same time, 4 out 5 more distrusted media are tabloids. In an alarming fashion, Slovakia’s public broadcaster (STVR) marked the biggest fall of trust – by 8 per cent – as a result of its effective capture by the state.

Ivan Godársky