Learn more about our initiative, its mission, and the impact we're striving to make.
WHAT WE DO
Visegrad alliance
Fighting illegal content on the Internet, such as illegal drug sales, gambling, and disinformation, is a major 21st-century issue for politicians and lawyers. The recent surge in disinformation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, has exacerbated these challenges.
Most debates focus on what to fight rather than how to fight it. Internet content regulation is one method, considered the most invasive regarding fundamental rights. In the Visegrad countries, with about 90% household internet connectivity (Eurostat, 2023), internet content regulation impacts everyone’s rights to information and freedom of expression. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) emphasizes the internet's role in these rights. Visegrad states lack a uniform approach to blocking methods and standards. This project examines these regulations, contrasting them with ECtHR case law, which demands thorough legal frameworks with sufficient defense means.
It addresses who can challenge unjustified blocking and explores procedural and substantial uniformity amid varying definitions of disinformation. Beyond ECtHR case law, the project incorporates soft-law contexts and explores the European dimension. The goal is to propose a legal framework for the Visegrad states that aligns with CJEU and ECtHR standards, considering their similar historical contexts and institutional memberships. This framework aims to balance combating illegal content and protecting fundamental human rights while countering disinformation and misinformation and enhancing societal resilience. Our deliverables consist of:
National Reports
In-depth analysis of internet content regulation in each V4 country, exploring legal frameworks, policy motivations, and challenges to digital rights.
Comparative RESEARCH Article
A scholarly article examining similarities and differences in internet regulation across the V4, with recommendations for harmonization and reform.
International Conference
A major event in Prague to share insights, promote collaboration, and explore innovative solutions to internet regulation challenges in the digital age.
Blog Posts
Engaging content published regularly to share research updates, event highlights, and expert opinions with both academic and general audiences.
GENERAL REPORT
A comprehensive summary consolidating findings from the international conference, offering key policy recommendations on internet regulation across the V4.
Research Network
An alliance of V4 experts dedicated to advancing digital rights and internet governance through continuous collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Prof. Tomáš Gábriš is a leading Slovak legal scholar specializing in legal history, theory, and philosophy. His research also addresses modern technology law and sports law. He has authored ten…
Jakub Hodulík is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Constitutional Law at the Faculty of Law, Charles University, and an assistant to a judge of the Supreme Administrative Court…
Dr Gábor Polyák is professor for media law and media policy at the Eötvös Loránd University, he is head of the Media and Communication Department. He also works for the…
JUDr. Ľubomír Zlocha, PhD. graduated from the Faculty of Law of Comenius University in Bratislava, where in 2012 he obtained the degree of Mgr. In 2016, he completed his internal…
Petr Gangur is an PhD student at the Department of Constitutional Law at the Faculty of Law of Charles University. He has experience in cooperation in the project SVV No.…
Dr. Boldizsár Szentgáli-Tóth is a distinguished constitutional law scholar specializing in comparative constitutional law and a senior research fellow at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, specifically within the Centre for…
Fruzsina Gárdos-Orosz is director and senior research fellow of the Institute for Legal Studies, Centre for Social Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and also associate professor in constitutional…
Marek Antoš is a constitutional law scholar and an associate professor at the Faculty of Law, Charles University, where he serves as the Head of the Department of Constitutional Law…
Ewa Milczarek is an accomplished researcher and legal expert specializing in internet law, new technologies, and human rights. She has completed advanced education, including the prestigious Bioethics: The Law, Medicine,…
Dr. Ewa Michałkiewicz-Kądziela is a legal scholar and constitutional law expert with a focus on constitutional law, EU law, international law, and human rights protection within national, EU, and international…
