Media Freedom Without Borders?

International debate on information rights in the focus of crisis

Media freedom is a fundamental human right in democratic societies. In EU member states such as Hungary, Czechia, and Slovakia, the existence of the independent press is under threat. The aim of the international conference is to highlight the importance of free journalism, especially in times of crisis, and to connect media professionals with civil society in order to develop strategies.

Friday, February 20, 2026, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Department of Communication at the University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 29, Lecture Hall 2, 2nd floor, 1090 Vienna

Welcome:

Jörg Matthes (Deputy Head, Department of Communication)
Fritz Hausjell (President, Reporters Without Borders Austria)

Presentations and discussion:

• Beata Balogová (Chief Commentator, SME; Bratislava)
• Pavla Holcová (Editor-in-chief investigace.cz; Prague)
• Edit Inotai (Centre for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy; Budapest)
• Antoine Bernard (Director Advocacy and Assistance, RSF International; Paris)

Moderator: Barbara Tóth (Board Member, Reporters Without Borders Austria)