A Fractured Shield: Civil Society and Press Freedoms in Eastern and Central Europe Under Threat

We must get out of our comfort zone if we don't want to let democracy die

The echo of Donald Trump’s re-election victory has reached far beyond American borders, casting a shadow over the fragile democratic landscapes of Eastern and Central Europe. In a region long shaped by the push and pull of competing ideologies and political approaches, civil society organizations (CSOs) and independent media now find themselves under siege. The tools of suppression—foreign agent laws, disinformation campaigns, and financial strangulation—are not new, but their proliferation is alarming.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

For Ukraine, a nation forged in the crucible of conflict, these threats are grimly familiar. Its experience offers a roadmap for resilience, but whether the rest of Europe will heed this lesson remains an open question.

Trump’s victory signals a broader shift in the global democratic order. His neglect of transatlantic alliances, coupled with a likely reduction in U.S. support for human rights and independent journalism, leaves Europe exposed to various threats. For CSOs and journalists who rely on international solidarity and funding, the implications are dire. This retreat from democratic norms is compounded by the rise of nationalist forces across the continent, emboldened by Trump’s success and their own electoral gains.