Media freedom and pluralism, and populism in the context of the rule of law
Budapest, March 7, 2019
Central European University
Popper Room

A global revival of populism can be observed in the recent years. Is the governments' populistic rhetoric in necessary correlation with a backslide in the rule of law? Populism is often coupled with official state propaganda, which entails suppression of media freedom and pluralism. The new media environment offers new tools to manipulate the audience with disinformation, targeted political advertising, and aggressive dissemination techniques. How do these impact the democratic process and the rule of law?

14.30.-14.55. András Bozóki, keynote speech: Professor of Political Science, CEU. “Beyond Populism: The Politics of Unscrupulousness, Hypocrisy, and Cynicism”

14.55.-15.05. Roberto Cortinovis: Introduction of the Engage Fellowship

15.05.-16.35.
1. Media freedom populistic rhetoric and propaganda.
Moderator: András László Pap

•Miklós Haraszti, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media from 2004 to 2010, author, professor, and human rights promoter
•Miklós Sükösd, Associate professor at University of Copenhagen, Dept. of Media, Cognition and Communication.
•Benjamin De Cleen, Assistant professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel Communication Studies Department, CMDS
•Péter Bajomi-Lázár, Associate professor of media and communications, Budapest Business School.
•Judit Bayer, Associate professor of media law, Budapest Business School

16.35.-16.50. Coffee break

16.50.-18.20.
2. The rule of law in the EU, in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans
Moderator: Maria Repko

•Petra Bárd, ELTE, CEU: The rule of law backsliding.
•Attila Antal, ELTE Law School, Budapest: The „Rule of Law” under Autocratic Populism
•Thaqi Berat: Fiscal populism in Kosovo
•Naim Rashiti, Executive Director, Balkans Policy Research Group: Rule of law in transitional states (tbc)
•Denis Cenusa, Institut für Politikwissenschaft, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen.