About: freedom of expression

Slovenian PM Janša attacks Council of Europe over media freedom report

Slovenia’s Prime Minister Janez Janša has lashed out against the Council of Europe, an international human rights body, over a memorandum criticising the "striking deterioration" of the media freedom in Slovenia, which takes over the rotating EU Council presidency on 1 July.

EU adopts stricter rules against online ‘terrorist content’

Online content deemed "terrorist" in nature can be ordered removed within an hour in the EU under stricter rules adopted on Wednesday (28 April) by the European Parliament.

Telex wins award in honour of murdered Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak

EURACTIV’s media partner, Hungarian news site Telex, was awarded the #ALLForJan prize, established in honour of the murdered Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak, based on their advocacy of the freedom of the press and their work over the past several...

French far-right leader Le Pen on trial over Islamic State tweets

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen goes on trial Wednesday (10 February) on charges she broke hate speech laws by tweeting pictures of Islamic State atrocities, a case she has slammed as a violation of free speech.

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.

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.