Gábor Polyák: No matter how strange it sounds, I owe a lot to the past 16 years

The interviewee expresses daily satisfaction with the validation of criticisms against the Orbán regime, emphasizing the importance of civil society's voice. They reflect on their experiences at ELTE, acknowledging the challenges faced but also the opportunities that arose from the political climate. The interviewee critiques the government's interference in academic autonomy, highlighting the detrimental effects on institutions. They recognize that their critical stance contributed to their current position as head of the Media Council, although they were uncertain about the regime's end occurring during their lifetime. The conversation touches on the need for institutional independence and the implications of political pressure on academia.