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…
Free speech
Latest reporting and analysis on free speech.
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”.
German Youtubers investigated for blasphemy after video criticising Muslim anti-Semitism
The two owners of a Christian-themed German YouTube channel are under investigation for blasphemy after they shone a light on Muslim anti-Semitism in Germany in…
Violent attacks against German teachers double in 10 years
German schoolteachers are increasingly at risk of violent aggression.
Romania’s largest independent news outlet sees page scrapped by Meta
Gândul, one of Romania’s most-read independent online newspapers, has had its page on Facebook closed by Meta, without receiving an explanation.
Five minors tried in Sweden over Iran dissident murder plot
Five teenagers went on trial in Sweden today for the alleged attempted murder of a dissident Iranian researcher.
France divided over ‘Yadan Law’ anti-Semitism bill
A new bill to fight anti-Semitism in France is causing heated debate and a wave of public protest.
Spanish police open probe into anti-Muslim chants at Egypt friendly
Spanish police said on Wednesday that they were investigating "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants heard during the Spain-Egypt international football match in Barcelona,…
67 year-old German retiree fined €800 for “insulting” politician
A 67-year-old retired Bavarian woman had a conviction confirmed for "insulting a public official", by carrying a sign caricaturing the state's Minister-President…
UK scraps its controversial non-crime hate incidents
The UK government has formally scrapped its system of recording non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs), which for years has controversially seen police forces divert their…
Sweden charges man for selling wife to 120 men
A Swedish prosecutor on Monday charged a man, suspected of exploiting his "vulnerable" wife to have sex with men for money, with aggravated pimping, several rapes…
Appeals court acquits German comedian over tasteless Trump assassination ‘jokes’
An appeal court in Berlin has upheld the acquittal of Sebastian Hotz, a German leftist comedian who had been charged with “condoning criminal offences” after…
Austrian High Court rules Putin mask at protest legal despite face-coverings ban
Austria’s Constitutional Court (VfGH) has decided that wearing a mask at a political protest can be a permissible form of expressing oneself, even though the country…
Finland convicts MP for hate speech over 2004 pamphlet supporting classic Christianity
Finland’s Supreme Court has found parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen guilty of “hate speech” relating to the expression of her beliefs on marriage and sexual…