On current developments in Slovakia and Central Europe
On October 26, 2018, Grigorij Mesežnikov attended a workshop organized by the Austrian Ponto-Grassroots Think Tank for Europe and Foreign Policy during a visit of group of young experts to Bratislava. Together with the deputy chief-editor of Sme daily Ondrej Podstupka, IVO’s president discussed with the participants from a number of countries the issues of democracy, rule of law and freedom of media in the context of important political events of the year 2018 in Slovakia and the overall development in Central Europe in the last period.
In the discussion participants pointed out the wider context of civic protests that broke out in Slovakia after the murder of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová, their implications for the state of political scene, functioning of the institutional system, including activities of law enforcement organs. They also outlined the possible prospects for further development in the country.
Speakers touched upon the role of standard mainstream media in the transformation and democratization process after the fall of the Communist regime and their irreplaceable role in the long-term sustainability of liberal democracy, in successful prevention of attacks on its foundations conducted by disinformation and conspiracy platforms with obvious support from non-democratic regimes.