Freedom of thought
UN freedom of speech rapporteur must wear several hats, says Bulgarian candidate
Iveta Cherneva, a Bulgarian author who writes about security, politics, human rights, and sustainability, and a EURACTIV contributor, has been shortlisted for the position of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of speech.
Hungarian detentions evidence of government intimidation, say critics
Two men have been detained since Tuesday (12 May) on suspicion of ‘scaremongering’ after sharing posts critical of the government on Facebook, local media reported.
COVID-19 crisis triggers EU racism against Asians, rights agency says
There has been a spike in recorded cases of racist abuse against people perceived to be of Chinese or Asian descent in the European Union amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the European Union's Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) said in a report published on Wednesday (8 April).
Greek PM preaches science to Orthodox Church on coronavirus
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister, urged the Orthodox Church yesterday (12 March) to observe scientific recommendations when it comes to public gatherings as authorities step up measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Poland names new head of Jewish museum as tensions rise
Poland's government appointed a new director of the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews on Thursday (27 February), as the ruling nationalists face accusations of politicising museums to reflect their view of history.
Belgian prime minister reacts to controversial Aalst Carnival
A year after sparking controversy and a wave of international protests over anti-Semitism, the Aalst Carnival organisers brought back anti-Semitic caricatures to the annual parade. For the first time, Belgium's prime minister stepped into the debate and asked legal institutions to determine if the laws had been broken.
UK press freedom worries European journalist organisations, NGOs, politicians
Media freedom watchdogs, journalists associations and politicians have cried foul at the worsening media policies in the UK, following the banning of certain journalists from a press briefing by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and plans to decriminalise failure to pay BBC licence fees.
Five empty chairs remind of Cuba’s regime true nature
The EU needs to change strategy if it wishes to stand for democracy in Cuba, by opening up to independent civil society, write Anders L. Petersson and Erik Jennische.
Europe has an Islamophobia problem. Who’s going to stop it?
It is time to acknowledge that Europe has an Islamophobia problem - perpetuated by a poorly regulated media and sustained by agenda-driven think-tanks - and to act on it, writes Magid Magid.
Jailed Uighur’s daughter receives EU rights prize
The daughter of jailed Uighur intellectual Ilham Tohti received the EU's top rights prize on his behalf Wednesday (18 December), saying she did not even know if he was still alive.
Press watchdogs call for EU to act over Hungary media curbs
Hungary has stifled its independent media and imposed a level of control over journalists that is unprecedented in an EU country, according to a joint report from six international press watchdogs that calls on EU leaders to take action.
Slovakia still opposes EU accession to Istanbul Convention preventing violence against women
Slovakia will not ratify the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, the country's parliament decided, adding that any decision at EU level needs to be made unanimously. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.
Hungarian media deny claims that Eurovision 2020 is ‘too gay’
Hungary will not take part in Eurovision 2020, the annual song contest that will take place in Rotterdam next year. Reports have emerged that the reason was the high number of LGBTQ+ participants, which goes going against the conservative views of Viktor Orbán's government.
New EPP chief Tusk voices concern over ‘politically motivated prosecutions’ in Ukraine
Politically motivated prosecutions are a matter of concern in Europe, said Donald Tusk, the outgoing EU Council president, as he was elected leader of Europe’s centre-right political family.
Police investigating murder of Malta journalist arrest local businessman
Malta police arrested one of the country’s most prominent businessmen on Wednesday (20 November) as part of an investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The Brief, powered by CEPI – Global tsunami
The protesters advocating the independence of Catalonia are using an internet platform and an app which directs them toward strategic places, to maximise the effect of their rebellion. The purpose is reportedly to test the tool in Catalonia first, and then to make it functional globally.
EU slams Turkey over re-arrest of journalist
The European Union on Wednesday (13 November) criticised Turkey over the re-arrest of the journalist and novelist Ahmet Altan, saying the move damaged the credibility of the judiciary.
Poland: Independence march of nationalism
Thousands of Poles took part in a nationalist march through the capital Warsaw on Monday (11 November), chanting "God, Honour, Fatherland", with the march leaders protesting against same-sex liberties, globalism and abortion.
Russia shuts down second rights group, drawing EU concern
A Moscow court has ruled to dissolve an indigenous peoples' rights group, the second decision of its kind in less than a week that was criticized by European authorities on Thursday (7 November).
Retreating Eurosceptics now settle for ‘reforms from within’
Just a couple of minutes after Nigel Farage triumphantly proclaimed victory in the 2016 Brexit referendum, Brussels started worrying that such a trend would spread throughout the Old Continent like wildfire.
Media-shy Czech mogul buys TV empire spanning five EU countries
The PPF investment group owned by Petr Kellner, who keeps a low profile despite being the Czech Republic's wealthiest man, said Monday (28 October) it had sealed a deal for the CME media group running 30 TV stations in five Central European states.
Jailed Uighur Tohti wins European Parliament Sakharov Prize
The European Parliament on Thursday (24 October) awarded the Sakharov Prize for human rights to Uighur intellectual Ilham Tohti, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in China for "separatism".
Joker movie opens a Pandora’s Box in Greek politics
Greek politicians have been bickering for two days over a police raid at a cinema to remove almost 20 underage children, who were watching Joker, a blockbuster psychological thriller film.