EU Scream: Ep.119 "Post-Truth Nation" (September 14, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this episode, host James Cantor digs into how the border between truth and fiction is eroding in European politics, centering on Slovakia as a case study of “post-truth” politics at the heart of the EU. The episode investigates how misinformation, conspiracy theories, and reactionary politics are undermining institutions, the media, and public life. With insights from Pavel Šeliga of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the episode explores the implications for Slovakia’s democracy, the European Media Freedom Act, and the wider region.

Main Discussion Points & Key Insights

1. The Erosion of Truth in Politics

• Misinformation at the Highest Levels: Cantor opens by highlighting global examples where leaders stretch or ignore facts, such as Trump, Netanyahu, and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The narrative of “post-truth” is now at home in Europe, especially in Slovakia.

  • Quote: "That line between what's real and what's fake seems to be getting more and more blurry." (James Cantor, [00:36])

• Von der Leyen and EU-Ukraine Relations: The episode criticizes von der Leyen for not being transparent about trade negotiations and Ukraine policy, raising skepticism about the EU's credibility. ([01:49]–[02:53])

2. Case Study: Slovakia’s Descent into Post-Truth

Background and Political Context

• Slovakia's Modern History: The country faces ongoing issues with oligarchic influence, unresolved journalist murders, and a volatile political environment. ([03:49])
• Robert Fico’s Return: Fico, a Putin- and Orban-aligned, Trump-style populist, returned as PM two years ago, bringing ultra-nationalists and conspiracy theorists into the government. ([05:05])

Politicians and Ministers Amplifying Conspiracies

• Demonizing the Media and NGOs: Fico and his allies scapegoat the press and non-governmental organizations as threats, often deploying incendiary language.

  • Quote: "From the first day... you went like bloodthirsty bastards against us and you are doing it from morning to night." (Robert Fico, via Pavel Šeliga, [06:32])

• Ultra-Nationalists and Reactionaries in Power:

  • Rudolf Huliak (Minister for Tourism and Sport): Espouses anti-LGBT, anti-environment, and misogynist views, minimizes climate change, and makes degrading public statements in Parliament.
    • Quote: "I apologize in the evening to my bitch in the yard." (Huliak, via Pavel Šeliga, [10:54])
  • Peter Kotlar (COVID Review Appointee): Denies the pandemic’s impact, spreads anti-vaccine disinformation, and claims mRNA vaccines genetically modify people.
    • Quote: "Moderna and Pfizer turned the vaccinated people into GMOs... manipulat[ing] people like they manipulate corn." (Kotlar, via Pavel Šeliga, [12:13])
  • Filip Kufa (Environment Secretary): Ridicules the idea of protecting endangered species, responds to policy questioning with sexual innuendo. ([14:23]–[15:16])
  • Lukáš Makala (Culture Ministry Secretary): Claims flat earth theories merit broadcast, doubts scientific verification.
    • Quote: "Have you been in the universe? You weren't. Me neither." (Makala, via Pavel Šeliga, [15:54])

• Martina Šimkovičová (Minister of Culture):

  • Known for firing journalists, pushing anti-LGBT rhetoric, and restoring pro-Russia ties. She frames hate as free speech and puts persecuted communities at greater risk.
    • Quote: "We are in such an amoral rock bottom... that they run around in latex... that children have to look at that." (Šimkovičová, via Pavel Šeliga, [18:16])
    • Quote: "Europe is dying... There is a push for LGBT here. And it's strange that this is the white race." (Šimkovičová, via Pavel Šeliga, [18:39])

3. Press Freedom’s Downward Spiral

• The Aftermath of Jan Kuciak’s Murder:

  • Ongoing failure to convict masterminds of the 2018 journalist assassination underlines impunity and eroded rule of law.
    • Quote: "Seven years to convict a mastermind... It's been long and I often think about the parents of Jan Kuciak..." (Pavel Šeliga, [24:12])
  • Deep overlap between government and suspects: The lawyer for Kuciak's alleged killer is now an advisor to Fico. ([26:00])

• Systemic Weakening of Public Media:

  • Slovak media’s independence is under attack via legislative changes, politicized management, and purges of critical journalists and popular shows, echoing Poland and Hungary’s path.
    • Quote: "Transformation of STVR from public to party broadcaster." (Pavel Šeliga, [53:05])
  • Board appointments are dominated by government loyalists, undermining pluralism.

4. The "Disinformation Sphere" and Russian Interference

• Growth of Conspiracy Ecosystem:
  • Slovakia is described as a “laboratory” for fake news and deepfake technology, with Russian actors suspected in electoral interference.
    • Quote: "Slovakia, you know, actually has been a laboratory for deepfake which might have been promoted by Russian actors before election, which allowed Fico to become again Prime Minister." (Pavel Šeliga, [29:13])
  • The deepfake audio incident before the election is cited as a warning for the rest of Europe. ([30:47])

5. The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA)

• The Law and Its Stakes:

  • The EMFA aims to ensure media pluralism, prevent political interference, and protect journalists across the EU, prompted by high-profile journalist murders and declining press freedom in Hungary, Poland, Malta, and now Slovakia.
    • Quote: "The EU institutions took what happened in Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Malta, then strengthened internally following a crisis, which has been the press freedom crisis." (Pavel Šeliga, [34:38])
  • Implementation Gaps: Many member states lag on aligning national laws with the EMFA; enforcement relies on political will, infringement proceedings, or litigation. ([38:15])

• Pushback from Far-Right and Authoritarians:

  • Far-right groups brand EMFA as censorship, echoing US "free speech" rhetoric. Leaders like Fico may feign compliance while weakening institutions.

• Test Case: Slovakia

  • Slovakia presents a test for EMFA’s enforcement. Despite media and civil society resilience, state domination of the public broadcaster and threats to media independence create “post-truth” conditions in the heart of the EU.
    • Quote: "Slovakia is a perfect test case because contrary maybe to Hungary, you have still in Slovakia independent journalists, independent media." (Pavel Šeliga, [40:01])

6. EU Response and the Limits of Enforcement

• Skepticism Towards Timely EU Action

  • von der Leyen’s Commission is seen as hesitant, trading action against Fico for Slovak support of Ukraine, despite the risk that post-truth politics strengthens Russian influence. ([45:08])
    • Quote: "How far are we going in making compromises with these leaders...and how much does it actually harm our initial objective of helping Ukraine...?" (Pavel Šeliga, [45:08])

• Financial Sanctions and Political Timidity

  • Skittishness about using sanctions to protect rule of law and media freedom may aid autocrats more than stability does.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's the price that Robert Fico has decided to pay for staying in power...He probably thinks that he had made a mistake in the past of leaving the public broadcaster working independently and he has decided to correct this mistake." (Pavel Šeliga, [57:50])
• "This is not Belarus and there are some rules and that she [Šimkovičová] has to respect them." (Pavel Šeliga, [58:54])
• "When the EU acts [in Slovakia], it will have strong support from the population...But as they make these compromises, the European leaders should be aware there is a red line..." (Pavel Šeliga, [40:01], [47:20])

Key Timestamps

• [00:36] Setting the stage: blurring lines between fact/fiction worldwide and in the EU
• [05:05] Fico’s comeback; Slovakia’s post-truth government forms
• [10:54] Huliak’s misogyny and LGBT attacks in Parliament
• [12:13] Kotlar’s anti-vax “GMO” conspiracy claims
• [15:54] Makala’s flat Earth and anti-science rhetoric
• [18:16] Šimkovičová’s anti-LGBT, white replacement talking points
• [22:12] The impact of journalist Jan Kuciak’s murder
• [29:13] Disinformation, deepfakes, and Russian influence
• [33:48] EMFA’s origins in journalist assassinations and press freedom crises
• [40:01] Why Slovakia is a “test case” for EU enforcement
• [53:05] Weakening of the Slovak public broadcaster
• [56:11] Parallels drawn to US media crackdown
• [57:50] Post-truth politics reaches the highest levels of government

Tone & Language

True to EU Scream, the tone is analytical, urgent, and not shy about calling out hypocrisy or danger. Quotes from Fico’s allies are delivered often verbatim, conveying the harshness and populist rhetoric. Cantor and Šeliga share a mix of professional critique and personal concern, notably when discussing Jan Kuciak’s murder and the implications for Slovak – and European – democracy.

Conclusion

This episode offers a powerful warning about the fragility of European liberal democracy in the face of post-truth politics. Using Slovakia as a stark example—where conspiracy theories, authoritarian populism, and Russian influence converge—it poses tough questions about the EU’s ability and willingness to defend its values, enforce its new media laws, and stop the slide toward illiberalism.