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.
Free speech
Latest reporting and analysis on free speech.
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…
Totalitarian sanctions: Is the EU crushing press freedom?
The European Parliament hosted a conference called EU Sanctions: Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights under Attack, organised by MEPs Ruth Firmenich, Michael von der…
Finnish MP convicted for hate speech over ‘anti-Lgbt pamphlet’ appeals to top EU Court
Finnish MP and former Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen has announced that she will appeal against the judgment of the Supreme Court of Finland at the European…
Germany: Censorship row erupts after AfD’s Höcke interview
A fierce free-speech controversy has erupted in Germany after senior Social Democrat leader Saskia Esken called for what she described as an effective “blacklisting”…
Rubio meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican amid US-Holy See tensions
The visit by Washington's top diplomat come after US President Donald Trump's extraordinary criticism of the Pope.
The anti-fascists are now funding fascists
In recent weeks, I keep coming across new items that need constant double-checking, because they are so absurd that at first glance they appear made up.
Swedish Government drops concept of ‘Islamophobia’
Sweden’s Government has formally abandoned the term “Islamophobia” in its official communications and policy documents, describing the concept as problematic…
University of Vienna cancels award for famous mathematician due to his criticism of gender studies and climate change
The University of Vienna in Austria has abruptly cancelled an award ceremony for one of the country’s most prominent authors and mathematicians, Rudolf Taschner.
Disbelief as Polish liberal paper prints call for ‘beating and murder’ of opponents
A Polish liberal magazine has published an opinion piece saying journalists and readers of a right-wing papers are only fit for "beating and murder".
‘Human rights lawyers’: Leave them naked in a frozen prison cell
If Lord Richard Hermer were well-known in any other European country, it would probably be as a traitor, and he would now be manacled to the wall in an ice-cold…
Tech CEO warns age checks ‘kill anonymity’ online as EU pushes verification app
As the European Commission pushes ahead with plans for European Union-wide online age verification via a dedicated app, the tech sector warns about the potential…
Allegations of sexual abuse in Paris’ after-schools rock France
Paris and wider France is being shaken to its core by serious allegations of sexual abuse within Paris’ after-school care system (“périscolaire”).
Is populism a distraction from a more important fight?
The sinister news this week that British courts have greenlighted the police’s use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology in public spaces is yet another…
US influencer Valentina Gomez banned from entering UK
The British Government has barred US-based influencer Valentina Gomez from entering the country ahead of a planned rally in London, citing concerns over extremism…
Germany sees record number of ‘criminal’ insults against politicians
German police have registered a record number of unlawful insults against politicians in 2025.
US Justice Department refuses to help French counterpart investigating X, citing free speech concerns
The US Department of Justice has refused to provide mutual legal assistance to French authorities investigating Elon Musk’s social media platform X.
UK Greens demand US foots bill if fans barred over social media ahead of World Cup
UK Green Party spokesperson has called on the US to cover travel costs for British football fans denied entry over their social media activity ahead of the 2026…
EU age verification app to launch but concerns remain
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the Euroopean Union’s long-planned age verification app is now "technically ready to use", marking…
One in five British teens afraid to share political views for fear of being ‘cancelled’
A major new survey has found that around one in five British teenagers are self-censoring their political opinions because they fear being “cancelled”.