It’s a playbook that’s been used by illiberal governments across Central and Eastern Europe: muzzling the media until it resembles little more than propaganda. But how exactly does one go about dismantling the free press, in a democratic country within the European Union?
In Part 1 of this two-part special, Viktória Serdült, Dimitar Ganev and our producer Wojciech Oleksiak ask: how the hell did we get here? And how did the local press become such a powerful political weapon?
This series was funded by Journalism Fund Europe, the Allianz Foundation, and supporters of The Europeans.
Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.
Credits
Reporters: Viktória Serdült, Dimitar Ganev and Wojciech Oleksiak
Writers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Dimitar Ganev
Production, scoring, sound design and mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak
Editors: Adam Zulawski and Katy Lee
Editorial support: Katz Laszlo and Dominic Kraemer
Director of recording sessions: Dominic Kraemer
Artwork: RTiiiKA
Thanks for talking to us: Vesislava Antonova, Ervin Gűth, Antal Józing, Zuzanna Nowicka, Venelina Popova, Anna Wójcik, Spas Spassov, Marek Twaróg, Ágnes Urbán, and Cezary Węgliński.
Instagram | Bluesky | Twitter | hello@europeanspodcast.com
The regime that ended with a song
Why the Swiss women's climate victory is such a big deal
The biggest climate case that ever was
Nepo great-great-great-grand-babies
Less Beyoncé, more bouzouki
Small Ex-Soviet Satellite State My Ass
The Portuguese Constitution Is Delicious
YOLO, Swiss pensioners
Army Boots
Orbán's biggest crisis?
Two Parallel Polands
Toxic air and toxic politicians
Why are Europe's farmers so angry?
What actually happens to Europe's recycling?
Influencer fraud, liveable cities and the Israel taboo
'Twas Christmas Eve In Dublin
The Christmas Book Flood
An Autocrat’s Guide to Destroying Local Media, Part 2
The Dutch Turn Right, Spain Stays Left
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
HauntingLive
Dr. Paul’s Worldviews
Pharmacy Podcast Network
Morning Wire
The Ben Shapiro Show