About: freedom of expression
Twitter’s ‘problematic’ Trump ban troubles Europe
Twitter's decision to impose a permanent ban on US President Donald Trump's account has sparked some consternation in Europe, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel calling it "problematic".
EU Commission to introduce sanctions regime for illegal content in Digital Services Act
The European Commission will introduce fines and sanctions for platforms that repeatedly violate new obligations on managing illegal content online as part of the forthcoming Digital Services Act, an EU executive official close to the matter has informed EURACTIV.
Turkey calls for France boycott as Islamic world backlash grows
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday (26 October) joined calls for a boycott of French goods, ramping up a standoff between France and Muslim countries over Islam and freedom of speech.
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.
Christchurch Call: EU struggling to get anti-terror measures right
New Zealand and France gathered states and social media organisations around the same table on Wednesday (15 May) to take joint action against terror online. The EU has been negotiating a regulation on preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online for months, but critics find it too restrictive and fear censorship. EURACTIV Germany reports
Thousands protest against Serbian President Vucic
Thousands of demonstrators defied heavy snow Saturday (15 December) in Belgrade to protest what they say is a crackdown by the government of President Aleksandar Vučić on opposition parties and the media.
Will European Parliament truly stand up for all people persecuted worldwide?
On 6 December, the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee will vote an important report for people who are mistreated, discriminated or persecuted for their beliefs worldwide, writes Giulio Ercolessi. At stake here is whether the EU will step up for everyone whose human rights are violated worldwide, including non-believers.
Polish Auschwitz survivor to take Nazi camp row to EU court
A 97-year-old Auschwitz survivor hopes to take German public broadcaster ZDF to Europe's top court for calling Nazi camps "Polish", his lawyer said Wednesday (22 August).
Freedom of expression in Europe: Who draws the line?
Hate speech laws are spreading in Europe as EU governments and international organisations try to find measures to defuse conflicts.
Dozens arrested as Belarus opposition marks ‘Freedom Day’
Belarusian authorities on Sunday (25 March) arrested around 30 protesters in Minsk ahead of a banned opposition march while detaining activists across the country, human rights group Viasna said.
Tackling Fake News: To be continued
Fake news has been blamed for the election of Trump, the Brexit vote and the rise of populist parties in Europe. A High Level Expert Group (HLEG) on fake news has been set up by the European Commission to suggest how to address the problem. Žiga Turk, one of the members, shares his comments on their Final Report, released earlier today (March 12).
EU diplomats in Beijing concerned about arrest of Swedish bookseller
China's detention of Swedish book publisher Gui Minhai while he was being accompanied by Swedish diplomats could set a dangerous precedent for other EU citizens, Germany's ambassador to China said yesterday (6 February).
Europe’s dangerous Holocaust revisionism
Holocaust revisionism isn't just about rewriting history, it's about curbing some of today's basic democratic freedoms like the rule of law and freedom of expression, warns William Echikson.
Commission silent as Madrid shuts down websites ahead of Catalonia referendum
The European Commission remained silent on Tuesday (26 September) when confronted with the news that Spanish authorities had shut down websites that provide information about this weekend's Catalan independence referendum. A vote that Spain still maintains is illegal.
Online platforms face EU regulation on transparency and business contracts
Internet platforms like Google, Facebook and Amazon Marketplace face regulation over their contracts with other businesses by the end of the year, under possible new EU legislation announced today (10 May).
A free and independent press is a necessity, not a luxury
In these uncertain times, World Press Freedom Day is a chance for the EU to guarantee publishers and journalists the freedom they need to carry out their jobs, writes Christian Van Thillo. VideoPromoted content
The EU needs a Special Representative for freedom of religion or belief
77% of the world’s population – that is 5.5 billion people - are living in countries where the free exercise of religion or belief is severely restricted.
Figel reappointed as EU Special Envoy on religious freedom
The EU’s first ever Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU has been reappointed to another 12-month term.
Amnesty warns ECJ headscarf ban ruling ‘panders to prejudice’
A landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJK) that EU companies can ban employees from wearing religious symbols, such as the Muslim headscarf, panders to prejudice, Amnesty International warned today.
Situation of Polish journalists is ‘untenable’
The NGO Reporters Without Borders (RWB) has called on the European Commission to defend press freedom in Poland, after the country fell 29 places in the RWB’s global ranking. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports.
The Brief: EU is a desperate energy junkie
Energy can be a dirty business. But when you import more than half your supplies every year, sometimes you just have to get a deal done.
Study: Turkey leads rise in journalist detentions
The number of journalists detained worldwide rose in 2016, an increase related to Turkey where more than 100 journalists and media contributors are in jail, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said yesterday (12 December).
Austrian foreign minister moves away from Ankara towards Moscow
Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz is set to continue his pursuit of a freeze in the EU's accession process with Turkey. He is also eager to act as a bridge between the West and Moscow. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Is the EU abandoning freedom of speech in its trade deals?
The EU has in recent years used trade agreements as a venue for promoting human rights, notably freedom of speech. Yet, as trade negotiators seek to wrap up the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), the EU seems to have abandoned this objective, write Jodie Ginsberg and Christian Borggreen.