A recent CEDMO study conducted across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland shows that while abstract support for free expression remains strong, public consensus fractures when addressing online harm, hate speech, and state regulation.
Our recently released CEDMO Brief (Q2/2026—Freedom of Expression in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) maps attitudes toward free speech, content regulation, and censorship in Central Europe. Based on representative surveys of nearly 6,000 respondents in the three countries, the report highlights a complex landscape where citizens attempt to balance democratic freedoms with rising concerns over digital risks.
Key Findings: Rethinking the Simple Pro- vs. Anti-Free Speech Divide
The research reveals that freedom of expression cannot be reduced to a simple binary of supporters versus opponents. Instead, public opinion is structured across three dimensions rather than a simple pro- versus anti-free speech divide: anti-censorship attitudes, tolerance of offensive views, and support for limiting harmful speech.
- Czechs Lead in Anti-Censorship Sentiment: The Czech public demonstrates the strongest opposition to state intervention. Approximately 40% of Czech respondents explicitly reject state control over the internet and media, compared to only 21% who support it.
- Poles Lean Toward Intervention: In contrast, Polish respondents show higher willingness to regulate harmful online content, with support for state control exceeding opposition.
- Slovaks Remain Undecided: Slovakia occupies a middle ground, characterized by a large proportion of neutral respondents who hesitate between unrestricted speech and social protection.
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Fear of a “Slippery Slope” and Institutional Distrust
Despite varying national attitudes toward regulation, a clear majority across all three nations fears that anti-hate-speech laws could be weaponized by political elites.
In the Czech Republic, 45% of respondents believe hate speech laws allow those in power to impose their moral and political views on others. Similar concerns are held by 44% of Slovaks and 41% of Poles. Furthermore, roughly 37% to 42% of citizens across the three countries worry that formal codes defining hate speech set society down a “slippery slope” toward uniformity of thought.
| Country | Belief Hate Speech Laws are Used as a Tool of Power |
| Czech Republic | 45% |
| Slovakia | 44% |
| Poland | 41% |
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Demographics and Value Orientations
The study also tracked how sociodemographic factors influence attitudes toward speech regulation:
- Gender: Differences between men and women across all three countries are minimal, indicating that gender is not a primary driver of speech attitudes.
- Age: Age trends vary significantly by country. In Poland, older respondents show a markedly higher support for restricting harmful content, whereas in the Czech Republic, support for restrictions slightly decreases with age.
- Ideology: Self-identified conservative thinkers in Czechia and Poland exhibit stronger anti-censorship stances compared to their liberal counterparts, though conservative respondents in Poland simultaneously show high support for targeted speech restrictions depending on the issue.
Navigating the Future of the Digital Society
As digital platforms continue to reshape public discourse, CEDMO’s findings emphasize the urgent need for regulatory frameworks that are transparent, legally bounded, and publicly legitimate. Abstract definitions of free speech are no longer sufficient to deal with the complexities of modern digital platforms.
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For full survey details, methodology, and regional breakdowns, visit the CEDMO Briefs section of our website.
Author: Arjan Chhabra