IN DEPTH: Trump VP pick Vance holds hawkish stance on Europe
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump's candidate for Vice President, Senator JD Vance, has a hawkish history of dealing with the European Union, frequently criticising…
Free speech
Latest reporting and analysis on free speech.
Nine out of 10 EU Jews experience anti-Semitism, says EU study
Nine out of ten Jews in the European Union have experienced anti-Semitism and most worry for their own safety, according to a new study.
Police open hundreds of hate-speech investigations over German ‘meme anthem’
German police forces have launched more than 360 investigations into instances of suspected hate-speech over the playing or singing of a German meme "anthem".
Italy and Greece go after free speech: authorities prosecute dissidents
A few months ago Brussels Signal warned that the freedom of speech and expression in the European Union would be endangered by the European Parliament’s resolution…
Allegations of priest’s torture in custody outrage Poland
The priest claims he had been denied food for almost 60 hours, was forced to beg for water, and was ordered to urinate in a bottle when he requested to use the toilet.
Slovakia to restrict right to assembly in response to Fico assassination attempt
The Slovak parliament on June 27 approved a so-called “Lex Assassination”, a package of measures designed to improve security following the assassination attempt…
Russia bans distribution of dozens of EU news outlets in retaliatory step
Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday it was banning access inside Russia to the broadcasts of dozens of European Union media outlets in what it said was…
Slovak opposition boycotts vote that sees public broadcaster shut down
The Slovak opposition walked out of the parliament chamber en masse before a vote was taken to abolish Rozhlas a televíža Slovenska (RTVS) and replace it with…
EU ‘chat-control’ plan goes back to drawing board
A controversial bill giving the European Union digital powers including the ability to look into citizens’ private online chats will not now be voted on.
Brussels city decision to cancel Belgium-Israel football match sparks controversy
Brussels's local government will not host an upcoming international football match between Belgium and Israel.
German fined €6,000 for ‘violating honour’ of Greens politicians
A German man has been fined €6,000 for insulting The Greens party politicians in his home country.
EU could use Euro 2024 football contest to implement online spying rules, MEP warns
The European Union could use the cover of the Euro 2024 football tournament to force through a suite of online spying rules, an MEP has warned.
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).
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.