Who Controls the Story? Government Propaganda, Independent Journalism, and Social Media in 2026 @weareceu
Who Controls the Story? Government Propaganda, Independent Journalism, and Social Media in 2026  @weareceu
Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This panel brings together leading experts to examine how state-aligned media, independent outlets, and global platforms shape what citizens see, believe, and share. Who is government propaganda really targeting – core Fidesz voters, disengaged low-information citizens, or the opposition? How have Google’s and Meta’s restrictions on political advertising reshaped online campaigning and resource allocation? How did Péter Magyar manage to break through a structurally unequal media landscape, and to what extent did his strategic use of social media algorithms contribute to his rise? Finally, what recent shifts in media financing reveal about power, dependence, and sustainability in Hungary’s information ecosystem? By situating current developments in a broader comparative and historical perspective, the discussion will assess whether the 2026 election represents continuity in media dominance – or the emergence of new vulnerabilities in the system.

Speakers
Peter Kreko (Political Capital, CEU Democracy Institute)
Veronika Kovesdi (ELTE BTK, ELTE TK)
Balint Mikola (CEU Democracy Institute)

Chair
Alexander Bor (CEU Democracy Institute)

Learn more:
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Who Controls the Story? Government Propaganda, Independent Journalism, and Social Media in 2026

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