State of Europe: Media, mistrust & polarisation puzzle
State of Europe: Media, mistrust & polarisation puzzle
Society

Thu. October 16, 6:00PM

State of Europe: Media, mistrust & polarisation puzzle

Join us for an exclusive session and engage in a discussion on Europe’s future in a time of democratic strain, media distrust, and rapid societal change.

The foundations of Europe’s post-war prosperity, robust social protection and institutional stability, are no longer sufficient for the challenges of today. Climate change, digital transformation, the growth of social media, and shifting demographics are reshaping societies in complex ways, and traditional European policymaking is struggling to keep apace, breeding apathy and cynicism, fertile ground for populism, polarisation and disengagement. Rebuilding trust and re-engaging citizens, especially younger Europeans, requires a fundamental shift, starting with the media.


Overconsumption of information, combined with concentrated media ownership in the hands of a few powerful actors and a constant flow of information, fuels fatigue and alienation, deepening divisions rather than bridging them.


How can Europe strengthen independent journalism while ensuring media pluralism and fairness without compromising press freedom and democratic values? What role should social media platforms play in countering mis/disinformation and fostering constructive public debate? How can critical media education be scaled to empower citizens to navigate an overloaded information landscape? Can Europe reduce the influence of concentrated media ownership and the political impact of private corporations on public discourse?


Don’t miss this opportunity to sit at the table with some of Europe’s leading figures and engage in a collective brainstorm on how to rebuild trust, renew democratic engagement, and make politics feel relevant again.


In collaboration with Friends of Europe as part of their 2025 State of Europe high-level roundtable. Organised annually by leading Brussels-based think tank Friends of Europe, State of Europe is a unique forum for today’s top leaders from the worlds of politics, business, civil society, arts and culture from Europe and beyond, to connect, debate and develop ideas in key policy areas that will define Europe’s future. 

speaker

Alessandra Cardaci

Alessandra is the Head of Programming and Operations at Debating Europe, the citizen engagement unit of Friends of Europe. She oversees Debating Europe’s project implementation and develops its programme of activities ranging from citizen engagement to the “Democracy” area of expertise. Alessandra is an experienced facilitator and has an international multidisciplinary background with a focus on EU affairs, holding a joint master’s degree in European studies at the University of Bath and Sciences Po Paris. Prior to joining Debating Europe, Alessandra worked at the European Commission, as well as in European and American not-for-profit organisations in Brussels and Berlin, in the field of communications and project management for regional development and youth engagement. Alessandra speaks Italian, English and French fluently.

speaker

Eugene Slavnyi

Eugene Slavnyi is the Editor-in-Chief and News Director of UNITED24 Media, the largest English-language Ukrainian media platform, reaching over 75 million viewers each month. A former war correspondent and part of the team responsible for transforming Ukraine’s state-owned UT-1 into the public broadcasting company UA:PBC, he now leads a newsroom focused on global audiences. Under his direction, UNITED24 Media covers Russian war crimes, conducts in-depth journalistic investigations, and counters Russian fake news and disinformation. The platform’s website, united24media.com , has become the leading English-language news source on Ukraine. By combining frontline reporting with a strong understanding of digital platforms and social media algorithms, UNITED24 Media effectively reaches and engages international audiences.

speaker

Malcolm Byrne

Malcolm Byrne, Teachta Dála, Chair of the Ireland’s Parliamentary Committee on Artificial Intelligence and 2014 European Young Leader (EYL40). Malcolm Byrne is an Irish politician for the centrist Fianna Fáil party (ALDE) and served in local government before entering parliament. He is his party’s spokesperson on further and higher education, research, innovation and science. He speaks and writes regularly on regulating technology as well as the importance of the arts, sport and community volunteerism. He served on the Senate Brexit Committee. Previously, Malcolm worked as the head of communications and public affairs at the Higher Education Authority, the statutory agency in Ireland that allocates public funding to higher education and advises the government on higher education and research policy. Having worked for various lobbying and representative organisations throughout his career, Byrne was also the first commercial manager at myhome.ie, Ireland’s most successful property website.

speaker

James Kanter

James Kanter is the founding editor of the EU Scream politics podcast and a former correspondent for Dow Jones and the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times, based in Paris and Brussels. James began his career at The Cambodia Daily newspaper in Phnom Penh, and is a recipient of a Reporting Europe prize for his coverage of energy and climate. He holds degrees from Columbia University, City University of London, and Yale Law School. 

speaker

Pawel Zerka

Pawel Zerka is a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. As ECFR’s lead analyst on public opinion, he spearheads the organisation’s polling and data research on foreign affairs. Based in the Paris office, he has been part of the ECFR team since 2017, having worked previously as a foreign policy expert in Poland. He holds a PhD in economics and an MA in international relations from the Warsaw School of Economics. In his new essay, “Reality show: Why Europe must not cave in Trump’s culture war”, he argues that most of what is happening in today’s transatlantic relationship is part of the culture war. He also suggests that a strong European sentiment offers the continent a way out, if only leaders had the courage to defend a Europe that writes its own script.
Start
Thu. October 16, 6:00PM
End
Thu. October 16, 8:30PM
Format
A Seat at the Table
Language
English (US)
Guest allowed?
Yes, 1 per member

Address

Event
Place Poelaert, 6
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Parking
Parking Poelaert, Place Poelaert 1000 Brussels

Detailed programme

Welcome
Thu. October 16, 6:00PM
Fringe session
Thu. October 16, 6:30PM
Networking
Thu. October 16, 7:30PM
End
Thu. October 16, 8:30PM

last seats available