This open access book provides an up-to-date and focused account of the relationship between the media and democracy in the European Union, in times of democratic backsliding, exploring the intricate relationship between news media and the erosion of democratic values. As backsliding democracies challenge the foundational principles of free press and accountability, members of the news media find themselves increasingly at risk. This volume situate this crisis within the broader framework of democratic theory, examining the changing dynamics between the news media (and in particular journalism) as pillars of democracy, and the growing strenght of illiberal forces, leaderims, populism, and the far-right. Its aim is to highlight both the vulnerabilities and the available defences of the media in front of several threats, including the erosion of trust in journalism, the increasing violence against the press, and a general degradation of press freedom.

Carlo Berti is a Researcher at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University. His current project explores the relationship between journalism and populist politics, focusing on the European Union. He has published extensively in international journals, including Journalism, Journalism Studies, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, and New Media & Society. He is the co-editor (with Carlo Ruzza and Paolo Cossarini) of The Impact of Populism on European Institutions and Civil Society (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021). He obtained his PhD in Communication Studies from the Auckland University of Technology.

Alice Němcová Tejkalová, PhD, is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Journalism Department at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University. Her primary research interests are in journalism studies and sports journalism. Since 2019, she has been a regional co-coordinator for Central & Eastern Europe in the Worlds of Journalism Study. She led Charles University’s research team on Resilient Media for Democracy in the Digital Age, a Horizon Europe project in 2023–2026.

Anna Shavit, PhD, is an academic at Charles University whose research focuses on election campaigns and political marketing in contemporary societies. Her work bridges academic research and professional political consulting. She has worked as an election strategist on numerous presidential and parliamentary campaigns in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. She is currently co-editing a book examining Machiavelli’s influence on modern politics and political thought.

Verica Rupar is an academic consultant for the Media Diversity Institute and a former professor of journalism. Her academic work includes studies on media, democracy, and social inclusion. Her recent research focuses on the 'post-truth' environment and the diffusion of misinformation in the digital age. She has worked previously as a journalist in Serbia, Slovenia and Hungary, and taught journalism in Serbia, New Zealand, Australia and the UK.