About: Věra Jourová
Rule of law a must before getting EU money, Jourova insists
European Union countries should only get money from the bloc's budget and the COVID-19 recovery fund if they have robust courts and safeguards against corruption, a top official said on Monday (6 July), a couched warning to Poland and Hungary, among others.
European justice ministers promise to combat disinformation and racism
Rule of law as a priority of the German EU Council presidency was an open secret long before the programme was presented. Thus, it was only fitting that the first Council meeting chaired by Germany was that of the ministers of justice. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Commission uncertain on future UK data adequacy agreement
The European Commission has said that it 'cannot predict' whether the UK will be fit for a data transfer adequacy agreement with the EU as part of ongoing negotiations on a future trade deal between the two parties.
‘Time to tell the truth’ on Chinese disinformation, Jourova says
The European Commission has come out with an unambiguous message against China's efforts to spread disinformation related to the coronavirus outbreak in Europe. It is the first time the executive has publicly called out China for its role in spreading fake news.
Commission kept no records on Davos meeting between von der Leyen and Palantir CEO
No detailed records exist concerning a January meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of controversial US data analytics firm Palantir, the EU executive has said in response to a EURACTIV query.
EU code of practice on disinformation ‘insufficient and unsuitable,’ member states say
A coalition of EU member states have hit out at the bloc's efforts to stem the spread of disinformation, calling the self-regulatory framework currently in place "insufficient and unsuitable."
European Digital Media Observatory launched in Florence to analyse disinformation
The European Digital Media Observatory, which aims to analyse disinformation, was launched on Monday (1 June) in Florence. Funded by the EU, it brings together researchers and experts in media literacy. EURACTIV Italy reports.
MEP report urges EU to increase pressure on Poland over rule of law
MEPs on the European Parliament's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE), working on a draft report on the situation in Poland, have called for "decisive action" by the other EU institutions.
MEPs enticed by lure of airline vouchers over refunds
Members of the European Parliament are increasingly siding with the aviation industry's plans, already backed by most EU countries, to reimburse passengers with vouchers instead of cash refunds. Their support may force the Commission to change the rules, which it has so far resisted.
EU launches judicial freedom case against Poland
The European Commission launched a new formal procedure against reforms in Poland on Wednesday (29 April), giving Warsaw two months to alleviate concerns about a December law that the EU executive says threaten judicial independence.
Jourová slams Europe’s ‘morbid dependency’ on China
European Commission vice-president Věra Jourová on Sunday (19 April) chided the EU for what she said was its "morbid dependency" on China and India for medical supplies, a situation highlighted by the coronavirus crisis.
Orbán to rule by decree with new powers to ‘silence critics’
The Hungarian Parliament approved new emergency powers on Monday (30 March) that will allow the ruling Fidesz party the right to rule by decree, without a set time limit, in a move that prompted an outcry from human rights groups.
EU auditors probe bloc’s disinformation fight amid COVID-19 concerns
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has launched a probe into the resilience of the bloc's attempts to stifle fake news that can 'cause public harm,' the institution announced on Tuesday (17 March).
Jourova: Excluding women from top companies’ boards is economically stupid
While the European Commission has just presented its Gender Equality Strategy, European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová insisted in an interview with EURACTIV France that the fight against stereotypes and violence against women must continue.
EU Rapid Alert System used amid coronavirus disinformation campaign
An EU instrument designed to monitor serious cases of disinformation has been triggered following a series of online campaigns surrounding the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the European Commission has confirmed.
Media freedom and pluralism ‘key’ to Democracy Action Plan
The EU has launched a €5.1m package designed to promote media freedom and pluralism in Europe, the Commission announced on Monday. The announcement comes ahead of the presentation of the Commission's Democracy Action Plan, which will attempt to safeguard elections from malicious interference online.
Platform regulation ‘needed’ as part of Democracy Action Plan, Jourová says
Regulation on the activities of online platforms is needed to foster a digital ecosystem that can "defend and promote democracy" the EU's Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová said on Thursday (30 January).
Row heats up over Poland’s court reforms
A long-running controversy in Poland over the government's judicial reforms intensified Wednesday (29 January) when its two top bodies -- the Constitutional and Supreme courts -- clashed over the appointment of judges.
Poland accuses Brussels of double standards in judiciary row
Poland accused the European Union on Saturday (25 January) of double standards for questioning the country's Constitutional Tribunal, intensifying a spat between Warsaw and Brussels ahead of a visit by the bloc's top rule of law official.
Facebook ‘on the side of free expression’ as EU steps up disinformation fight
Social media giant Facebook has warned against curtailing freedom of expression as the EU considers measures to clamp down on disinformation campaigns across online platforms.
European Parliament calls on member states to act on Poland and Hungary
The EU must set out concrete demands and deadlines for Poland and Hungary over their rule of law and judicial independence situation, lawmakers in the European Parliament demanded in a Strasbourg debate on Article 7 on Wednesday (15 January). In...
EU seeks ‘concrete’ improvements to Privacy Shield, as advocacy group calls the accord a ‘big mistake’
The European Commission has called for a number of 'concrete steps' to be made in order to improve the EU's data transfer accord with the US, the Privacy Shield. Meanwhile, the data protection group Access Now has come out in criticism of the agreement and called for it to be suspended.
Jourova: ’I don’t want us to come back to the pre-1989 era’
Věra Jourová, the European Commission's Vice-President elect for Values and Transparency, gave the good example on 9 October by meeting with Brussels journalists to talk about her future portfolio, answering their questions openly and making some strong political statements.