PRAGUE - Regardless of the composition of the future Czech government, it is necessary to preserve and strengthen the foundations of democratic civic structures. President Petr Pavel said this in his opening speech at the Forum 2000 international conference in Prague today. According to the head of state, it is the resilience of democratic institutions and an active civil society that is essential to combat disinformation and external influences.
"Democracy is not a given. It requires the daily care and responsibility of each of us," the president said. He recalled that the conflict in Ukraine is not only a military conflict, but also an information war aimed at breaking the trust of citizens in democratic institutions. "If we lose the ability to distinguish facts from manipulations, we will lose our freedom," he added.
Pavel stressed that strong public service media and a healthy media environment that can offer pluralistic and verified information without spreading hatred or uncertainty contribute to the resilience of society. "We need a media that is not driven by emotions, but by facts. Only then can the public make informed decisions," he said.
The Forum 2000 conference, founded by former President Václav Havel, aims to promote dialogue on democracy, human rights and freedom. This year, a number of international guests are participating, including academics, diplomats and civil society activists. The main theme this year is the resilience of democracies in times of global crises and the growing influence of authoritarian regimes.
President Paul concluded his speech by calling for unity and civic responsibility. "We cannot take democracy for granted. We must actively defend it - not only with words, but also with actions," he concluded.
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