Democracy Under Pressure – Free Speech, Media Integrity, and the Future of Open Societies

Democratic institutions are under growing pressure – across continents and political systems. From the United States to Europe and beyond, we are witnessing how internal polarization, digital echo chambers, and eroding trust in media and institutions are straining the foundations of open societies. In the US, developments in recent years have revealed how deeply rooted tensions – around identity, economic inequality, and institutional legitimacy – are challenging the democratic fabric. At the same time, liberal democracies face growing skepticism on the global stage. In parts of the Global South, the credibility of Western values is increasingly questioned – particularly where democratic ideals are seen as inconsistently applied. Together we will explore the key questions arising from this landscape. What does a resilient democratic information ecosystem look like in 2026? And what shared responsibility do politics, media, tech, and civil society carry?

We look forward to welcoming you to this special event on the eve of the Munich Security Conference and would like to thank the Munich Security Conference for their generous support.