Blog

Captured vs. Fragmented. What Hungary and Bulgaria Reveal About Modern Elections

Contested and captured information spaces can shape choices long before voters enter the polling station. The answer is not control over speech, but stronger democratic resilience.

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.

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.

Russian Influence Operation in Kenya & South Africa

The report investigates Russian influence operations in Kenya and South Africa, revealing the use of Facebook to disseminate pro-Kremlin propaganda and manipulate public opinion.

[SCIENCE+] We know better

Increasing distrust of the media is a problem that could undermine democracy as such – but is it really true? And if so, how do people form opinions in such atmosphere? How do they choose the source and what influences them?

VIDEO-SHARING PLATFORMS AND THE FUTURE OF THE CONTENT REGULATION

The webinar on video-sharing platforms and the future of content regulation took place on June 2020 via Zoom application, and was organised by the Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission (Slovak Media Authority) and MEMO98.

WHY DID VRBETICE NOT BECOME ANOTHER SALISBURY?

Why did only 6 countries expel Russian "diplomats" after the revelation that Russian GRU agents may have been involved in the Vrbetice explosion in 2014?

OUT OF TOUCH

SLOVAKS VOTE TO DECIDE THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE COUNTRY

The Slovaks vote to decide the future direction of the country, but it is unlikely to be the Direction (SMER-SD), the party of Robert Fico, who has been in power for 12 years.

HOW TO MAINTAIN INTEGRITY OF ELECTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

SLOVAKIA’S NEXT PRIME MINISTER: MAVERICK OR SAVIOUR?