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…
Free speech
Latest reporting and analysis on free speech.
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…
Strasbourg clears path for medically-assisted suicide in landmark case
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rejected a last-minute request to suspend the euthanasia of Noelia, a 25-year-old woman from Barcelona, marking a decisive…
EU lawmakers back ban on sexualised AI deepfakes
EU lawmakers today approved a ban on AI systems generating sexualised deepfakes, after a global outcry over non-consensual nudes created by Elon Musk's chatbot Grok.
Attack on Rotterdam synagogue by group claiming to target Jews
A synagogue in Rotterdam has been targeted in an arson attack early this morning.
Spain’s PM Sánchez unveils ‘Hodio’ tool to combat ‘online hate speech’
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced the launch of a new government tool designed to monitor and quantify so-called hate speech on digital platforms.
Iranian female footballers granted asylum in Australia, ditch headscarves
Five members of Iran's women's national football team have been granted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia after fleeing their squad during the Women's Asian…
Harsh prison terms for seven Spaniards for hate speech against illegal migrants
Spain's Supreme Court has upheld prison sentences for seven individuals convicted of hate crimes over social media posts targeting unaccompanied foreign minors in…
German police conduct 13th Day of Action against online ‘hate’
On Wednesday, February 25, German law enforcement carried out a nationwide “Day of Action Against Online Hate” involving raids and interrogations in connection…
Belgian media outlet officially reprimanded for publishing JD Vance speech in full
A right-leaning news outlet in Belgium, 21News, violated journalistic ethics by publishing the complete transcript of the speech made by US Vice-President J D Vance…
Italian trial highlights rise of a ‘remigration lobby’ in Europe
A right-wing Italian activist is set to stand trial for hate speech over statements he published on social media in recent years.
Exclusive interview: German lawyer decries ‘bias’ in trans-child cases
A German lawyer is accusing German authorities of bias in cases of children who want to have their sex medically changed against their parents’ wishes.
UK Quran burner wins landmark blasphemy case
A man who burned a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish consulate in London has had his acquittal upheld by the High Court.