Hello world!

Welcome to our initiative, where we’re tackling one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age: combating illegal content on the internet while safeguarding fundamental human rights.

What We Do: The Visegrad Alliance

In today’s interconnected world, illegal online content—ranging from illegal drug sales and gambling to the rampant spread of disinformation—poses significant challenges for policymakers and legal experts alike. The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine have only amplified these issues, making them impossible to ignore.

Our project focuses on the Visegrad region, where approximately 90% of households are connected to the internet (Eurostat, 2023). With such widespread connectivity, regulating internet content directly impacts the rights to information and freedom of expression. Yet, a standardized approach to internet regulation across the Visegrad countries is missing.

We aim to bridge this gap by analyzing existing frameworks, evaluating them against European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) standards, and proposing a unified legal approach. Our research goes beyond addressing what illegal content to tackle; it explores how to combat it without infringing on fundamental freedoms.

Our Deliverables

• National Reports: A deep dive into internet content regulation across the V4, highlighting legal, policy, and rights-based challenges.
• Comparative Research Article: Insights into the similarities and differences in regulation across the V4, with actionable recommendations for harmonization.
• International Conference: A platform in Prague to discuss innovative approaches and foster collaboration among experts and stakeholders.
• Blog Posts: Regular updates on research progress, event highlights, and expert commentary tailored for both academic and public audiences.
• General Report: A consolidated summary of findings and policy recommendations to guide the V4’s approach to internet regulation.
• Research Network: A vibrant community of experts dedicated to advancing digital rights and internet governance in the Visegrad region.

By addressing the critical balance between combating illegal content and protecting human rights, our project aims to enhance societal resilience while setting a robust legal foundation for the future.

Stay tuned as we share our journey, insights, and outcomes with you through this platform!