Left-wing extremists hunt down conservative journalists at AfD party congress in Erfurt
Clashes between demonstrators and police erupted throughout the day, alongside repeated outbreaks of violence.
Free speech
Latest reporting and analysis on free speech.
Turkish comedian arrested over jokes about Erdoğan
Deniz Göktaş faces investigations for “publicly insulting religious values” and insulting the president, offences under Turkish law that carry potential prison…
Spanish journalist critical of the government hit with arrest warrant
Vito Quiles has rejected the action as political persecution.
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‘Abuse’ threshold in new conversion therapy bill worries free speech campaigners in the UK
Under the proposed legislation, only conduct that meets the definition of "abusive" could amount to an offence.
Rome censorship: Exhibitors must sign a certificate of political purity before book fair
Paper First will no longer exhibit at Più Libri Più Liberi, Rome's annual fair dedicated to small and independent publishers.
Balázs Orbán leaves MCC as Hungary’s new government targets Fidesz-era foundations
Hungary's largest conservative foundation faces losing its independence under Péter Magyar's reforms, prompting its chairman to step down in protest.
Musk makes banned migration-themed film ‘Citizen Vigilante’ free to watch on X
The controversy over the film began after Germany's film ratings authority, the FSK, refused to grant it an age classification.
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Tusk tries to silence Polish whistleblower doctor who said patients died as result of ruling party mismanagement
Polish Prime Minister had said he was not going to get involved in disputes between doctors.
Tusk calls killing of anti-Putin Russian artist in Poland a political murder
The artist, who worked under the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky and whose real name was Robert Kuzovkov, was shot dead on June 15 in Biała Podlaska.
Ex-chair of UK’s media watchdog slams progressives over urge to stifle free speech
The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from former Ofcom insiders and academics.
French media regulator again goes after conservative channel CNews
The decision follows a complaint lodged by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in January concerning broadcasts from March 2025.
Court of Appeal upholds Palestine Action terror ban as prosecutions resume
It was the British Government's decision to ban the protest group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
British government confirms social media ban for all under-16s
Starmer said the measure was necessary to protect children from what he described as the harmful effects of social media.
‘Anti-fascist certificate’ for publishers ahead of Rome book fair sparks censorship row
Meloni accused organisers of introducing a discriminatory criterion for participation and warned against the use of political labels.
Polish journalist who investigated Tusk’s ally detained for three months without trial
Leszek Kraskowski, who has for over 20 years investigated allegations of the abuse of power and corruption against all governments.
South Wales Police pauses controversial plan to record ‘hostility’ towards Muslims
The internal guidance directed officers to record non-criminal speech or behaviour deemed hostile towards Muslims as anti-social behaviour incidents.
Italian journalist fired over Israel question takes reinstatement battle to court
The controversy dates back to October 13, 2025, when Nunziati attended the European Commission’s daily midday briefing.
Signal accuses UK of creating a mass surveillance system under the guise of child safety
The company criticised the proposals, warning that they could have far-reaching implications for privacy and civil liberties.
Polish court chips away at journalists’ right to protect their sources
Michał Rachoń, who works and broadcasts for conservative independent news channel TV Republika had his journalist’s confidentiality obligation lifted.
Far-left activists threaten violence and block visit of Defence Commissioner Kubilius in Belgium
It is the first time a visit by Commissioner Kubilius has had to be cancelled for security reasons.
Afghan ambassador to Spain accused of drugging and raping multiple women
Spanish authorities revoked his diplomatic immunity after several women came forward with serious allegations.
Body cam footage shows damning behaviour of English police during Henry Nowak’s murder
Nowak laid handcuffed on the ground while eventually receiving first aid, then died at the scene.
US commentators say UK barred them over Israel criticism
"I tried to get on a flight to London to attend SXSW London and give a speech at Oxford. I've been banned for criticizing Israel." said Cenk Uygur.
Belgian PM open to review anti-racism laws to restore freedom of speech
"As long as you don't call for violence, I think words should be combated with words and not with a court."
Belgian court convicts nationalist activist for lecture that would be protected in the US
The case stemmed from a two-hour lecture organised by the Nationalistische Studentenvereniging Leuven on the topic of "regenerative agriculture".
Rutte and Nawrocki welcome US troop boost in Poland after Trump reversal
The deployment had earlier been put on hold as part of a wider reduction of US forces in Europe.
European Court of Human Rights rules vulgar online insults against officials fall outside free speech
The Court emphasised that the message used aggressive, sexually explicit insults and was posted on a widely used social media platform.
Part I, the classroom as psychological vaccination site: The EU’s war on ‘wrongthink’
There was a time when education meant initiation into the life of the mind.
Polish MEP vows ‘to sue UK PM’ over entry ban ahead of Robinson march
British authorities denied the visa application, arguing that Tarczynski’s presence in the country was “not considered conducive to the public good".
Detention of Polish Right’s leader part of UK’s crackdown ahead of Robinson march
Slawomir Mentzen MP, one of the two leaders of Poland’s right-wing Confederation party, was detained for three hours at London Airport on suspicion that he may…