DEMOCRACY v AUTHORITARIANISM Hungary and Poland

Two EU nations that have been steadily eroding basic elements of democracy under ultra-conservative (see Poland's abortion ban and both countries' homophobic laws) populist nationalists, who use EU warnings to whip up resentment against 'foreign' interference. Their attacks on democracy are striking in the weakening of judicial independence and media freedom.

Feb 2021 saw both countries take further steps to radically undermine - even force into bankruptcy - independent media. The Guardian reports:

Commercial TV channels, radio stations and web portals have gone off air in Poland in protest at tax proposals that critics say threaten independent media, a day after Hungary’s leading private radio station lost its broadcasting licence.

The European commission on Wednesday expressed concern for media freedom in the two countries, both of whose governments have been accused of acting to stifle opposition outlets and are under investigation for alleged rule-of-law violations.

Polish private media, much of which is highly critical of the nationalist ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, ran slogans such as “This used to be your favourite show” and “Media without choice” to highlight the planned tax on their advertising revenues.