Online porn giants ordered to provide EC with DSA conformity details
The European Commission has demanded details from porn websites over their adherence to the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Free speech
Latest reporting and analysis on free speech.
Nova24 chief blasts Brussels for ignoring attacks on Slovenian media
"Věra Jourová, I don't know how she is sleeping at night, with these double standards," he said.
German authorities raid 70 homes over ‘online hate posting’
Police have raided more than 70 homes in Germany concerning incidents of so-called "online hate posting", the country's justice ministry said.
NGOs vow to defy Georgia’s Foreign Agent law amid Brussels threats
Around 200 NGOs in Georgia said they would defy the country’s new Foreign Agent legislation amid threats from Brussels that the law could "harm Georgia's EU aspirations”.
Slovenian police raid Nova24 media days before European Parliament elections
Opposition MEP Milan Zver said the raid represented a "severe breach of independence" of the media as well as a "political misuse of the police”.
EU to consider banning anonymity online and MEPs from using ‘hate speech’
The European Union is to consider implementing a de facto ban on online anonymity, as well as prohibiting elected MEPs from using so-called "hate speech".
France bans TikTok in New Caledonia amid ‘foreign interference’ claims
Authorities say that the unprecedented move is an attempt to curb ongoing violence on the overseas French territory, with pro-independence protesters having seized…
Dutch debate about political pressure in science cancelled due to political pressure over Israel
An event at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) has been cancelled over the stance on the conflict between Israel and Palestine of two leading academics who were due…
AfD regional leader fined for using ‘Nazi’ slogan
Björn Höcke, a regional leader of the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has been fined for using a "Nazi" slogan.
Belgian State-broadcaster interrupts Eurovision show to denounce Israel
One of Belgium's State-owned broadcasters disrupted its coverage of the annual Eurovision Song Contest semi-final on May 9 to denounce the actions of Israel.
EC demands proof Musk’s X is complying with censorship rules
The European Commission has demanded Elon Musk's X provide evidence it is complying with the bloc's censorship regulations.
Telegram confirms efforts to comply with EU censorship rules
Messaging service Telegram has confirmed it will make an effort to comply with European Union-level censorship rules.
LFI’s Panot summoned by police over alleged ‘apology of terrorism’
Mathilde Panot, one of the leaders of La France Insoumise Party (LFI), was summoned by the police for allegedly engaging in "apology of terrorism".
Cancellation of ‘anti-facist’ speech in Italy sparks government ‘interference’ debate
The cancellation of an anti-fascist speech by Italian author Antonio Scurati on national television in Italy has sparked heated debate, with accusations of "unprecedented…
Belgian PM takes flak over late response to NatCon event cancellation attempt
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has come under fire in Parliament for allegedly failing to act when Brussels mayors wanted to cancel the National Conservatism…
Thank you Emir, for playing Sultan
Having been a speaker at the 2022 National Conservatism conference in Brussels, there are two things I can say without hesitation.
Remember Andropov: How the attempt to kill NatCon paves the way for more censorship
Let me introduce younger readers to Yuri Andropov, leader of the Soviet Union from 1982 to 1984, and Soviet ambassador to Hungary from 1954 to 1957, during which…
NatCon: Belgian court overturns local mayor’s decision to ban event, ‘Free speech has prevailed’
The organisers behind the National Conservatism conference have won their appeal in court against local mayor Emir Kir. The event is allowed to go on.
Left-wing mayor using police as ‘private militia’ to shut down conference: Zemmour
Municipality mayor Emir Kir ordered the shutting of the National Conservatism conference over alleged "public safety" concerns, though added in his announcement…
Brussels mayor ‘threatens to cut power to conservative event’
A Brussels mayor has threatened to cut power to a conservative conference taking place in the city.
Brussels conservative conference kicks off despite cancellation attempts by protestors
The National Conservatism conference, which includes speakers such as Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage and hard-right French…
Brussels mayor ‘collaborating’ with extremists to disrupt conservative event
Brussels' socialist mayor is "collaborating" with extremists on the political Left to disrupt a conservative conference, organisers of the event have claimed.
Irish leader resigns and youngest-ever PM appointed amid EU-linked legislation pressures
Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has officially resigned his position amid growing concerns nationally about European Union-linked legislation.
Biden administration issues statement ‘supporting’ EU Digital Services Act
US President Joe Biden's administration has been accused of issuing a statement "supporting" the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), despite repeated warnings…
Polish Government proposes prison for LGBT defamation
The proposed legislation has been piloted by deputy justice minister Krzysztof Śmiszek of the Left party, which is part of the coalition Government with Prime Minister…
Spain was hours from banning Telegram because judge ‘did not know what it was’
Spain, which was at the point of banning the Telegram app this week, backtracked on the decision after searches for VPNs skyrocketed.
Paris headmaster resigns after death threats for asking student to remove her veil
A Paris headmaster resigned on March 26, after receiving death threats for asking a student to remove her veil before taking an exam.
Swedish rescue workers given bulletproof vests
High crime levels in Sweden are pushing rescue workers to drastic measures; those in the city of Uppsala, near Stockholm, will be equipped with bulletproof vests.
Can the EU learn from Britain’s ‘extremism crackdown’? Not giving public money to Islamists is long overdue, but the new definitions could be used against conservatives
In an effort to “keep our citizens safe and our country secure”, Britain’s Conservative government has announced a new definition of extremism.
‘Europe has too many rules’ former president Obama tells awe-struck festival-goers
Former US president Barack Obama had some criticism for Europe during his weekend visit to Belgium.