The representation of media policy and regulatory practices in Central and Eastern Europe encompasses the process of Eastern European media transformation as well as the significance of European institutions and investors within this process. These two factors have been crucial in the development of the respective media systems. The European legal frameworks for fundamental rights and economic rights provided not only an effective guarantee for journalistic activities after the system change but also economic security for Western investments. The real prospect of EU membership and the market entry of Western European and American media companies significantly influenced national media systems, although it is now questionable whether they were able to create sustainable structures. Therefore, the analysis focuses on signs of crisis and possible steps for resolution. It clarifies which weaknesses of a media system can be exploited by non-democratic media policies and what competencies or instruments the European Union has at its disposal to counteract such attacks against its fundamental values.