✨ Our first ARTICLE 19 Europe newsletter is here!
It's our space to show what we do every day – from legal work and advocacy to digital security trainings – and to highlight the stories, developments, and people that keep us motivated. #FoE
🗓️Check it out:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Media Freedom mission in #Italy 🇮🇹 @mediafreedomeu.bsky.social
🔸Main topics: public broadcaster's reform #RAI, #EMFA, #SLAPPS, defamation reform, digital threats, the use of surveillance against journalists + media market concentration.
📣Stay tuned!
www.article19.org/resources/it...
In a bid for ‘neutrality’, the IOC said Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych’s helmet violated Rule 50, which bans political protest on Olympic sites
But punishing remembrance is not neutrality.
It's time to reform Rule 50 and protect free expression in line with international law.
🇺🇦Skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for honouring Ukrainian athletes killed during #Russia’s invasion.
Punishing remembrance is not neutrality. #Olympics2026 #StandWithUkraine
www.bbc.com/sport/articl...
Tomorrow (3 Feb) the CJEU hears Demblon v European Parliament: a case on free expression inside the EP. After a peaceful protest during the Migration Pact vote, an activist was initially banned for 5 years. A key test for dissent in the EU.
An op-ed we co-authored:
eulawlive.com/op-ed-an-ent...
On this Human Rights Day, we’re reminded that the fight for our rights is far from over.
People face violence, censorship, and intimidation.
Yet they keep resisting and documenting the truth. So accountability remains possible.
This is how change begins.
www.article19.org/resources/hu...
🎉 Belgian real estate entrepreneur's SLAPP sniffed out by judge.
🧑⚖️ It's a SLAPP! A judge has ruled in favour of the defendant in the abusive lawsuit launched by Joost Debucquoy, flagged by the CASE in September, referring explicitly to SLAPPs in his judgement.
👀👉 www.the-case.eu/latest/its-a...
🇪🇺 European Democracy Shield includes many priorities from our @mediafreedomeu.bsky.social submission.
We call for a strict timeline for the implementation of commitments on economic viability, #SOJ, #SLAPPs, #AI, disinformation, + enforcement of #EMFA & #DSA.
www.article19.org/resources/eu...
Join us at 🇲🇩 #Moldova Security Forum to discuss digital transnational repression & how to tackle it. We will explore local security hubs,cross-border networks building resilience & more.
17 Nov 12:30PM ARTCOR Creative Hub, Chișinău
Register:
unde.io/events/1534-...
🚨 New output alert! Defamation in 🇬🇪 #Georgia
The recently introduced amendments to Georgia’s defamation legislation undermine #FoE.
This is another attempt stifle dissent, restrict journalism, & curtail the right to protest.
📣Read out analysis:
www.article19.org/resources/ge...
In his statement, president Vucić insinuated that journalists would be the ones inciting violence during the commemoration of the tragedy in Novi Sad on 1 Nov. Such comments vilify indep reporters & mislead the public. Journos must be free to cover the events.
en.nuns.rs/anem-dangero...
NUNS supports journalists covering the protests and provides essential safety equipment amid rising tensions and increasing efforts by law enforcement to stifle civil society demonstrations. Attempts to discredit them and accuse them of inciting disorder only fuel further hostility and should stop.
30.10.2025 11:24 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
We stand in solidarity w/ our friends from the Independent Journalists' Association of #Serbia 🇷🇸 (NUNS) who are targeted by smears (e.g. 'supporters of the riot organisers') & attempts to undermine their credibility by the pro-government Association of Journalists of Serbia (AJS). 🧵
30.10.2025 11:15 — 👍 10 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0
📣To mark the anniversary of the tragedy in Novi Sad, we will discuss how the govt's efforts to stifle protests and control information fuel growing attacks on the media in 🇷🇸 #Serbia.
🗓️4.11 ⏰14:00 CET
Register now: www.mfrr.eu/one-year-on-...
@mediafreedomeu.bsky.social
🌟 The 2025 Sakharov Prize goes to Andrzej Poczobut & Mzia Amaglobeli.
It's a tribute to their resilience and commitment to truth and justice.
We will continue to demand the release of Andrzej, Mzia, and all political prisoners.
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...
Ireland has appointed a Data Protection Commissioner who formerly held a senior public affairs role at Meta – disregarding EU law & treaties.
The govt must conduct a new, transparent process to appoint an official with a strong record of protecting human rights.
www.article19.org/resources/ir...
🇮🇹 #Italy: We strongly condemn the car bomb on Sigfrido Ranucci, a leading investigative journalists and his family. We call for a thorough investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.
www.article19.org/resources/it...
Do you like infrastructure?
Do you like democracy?
I have a panel coming up for you in 10 minutes! www.openmarketsinstitute.org/publications...
Now on stage: Our first panel with David Kaye, Former UN Special Rapporteur @davidakaye.bsky.social, Sasha Havlicek at @isdglobal.org, and MEP Alexandra Geese @alexandrageese.bsky.social. Moderated by @courtneyr.bsky.social at @cjl4news.bsky.social.
Tune in here: www.youtube.com/live/KlO8ta8...
Happening NOW in Brussels:
How can Europe protect its democracy from foreign tech monopolies?
Join @openmarkets.bsky.social & @article19.bsky.social for two days of debate, insight, and strategy.
📺 Livestream here → www.youtube.com/live/KlO8ta8...
#DigitalSovereignty #Democracy #FreeSpeech
Jonathan Kanter, former Assistant Attorney General at the US Department of Justice, joins us today in Brussels.
#DigitalSovereignty #FreeSpeech #Democracy
📺 Tune into his remarks here: www.youtube.com/live/KlO8ta8...
Jonathan Kanter:
"There is no such a thing as a benevolent dictator, as there is no such a thing as benevolent monopolist. We don't need domestic monopolies to better compete. The way to compete against China is not to have censorship, and it's to have checks and balances."
On my way to Brussels for the Future of Democracy conference hosted by @openmarkets.bsky.social and @article19europe.bsky.social. This is an important and timely event. www.openmarketsinstitute.org/publications...
15.10.2025 05:18 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Our Joanna Szymańska joined a #MediaFreedom mission in 🇧🇬 #Bulgaria. The country, torn by political polarisation, faces several challenges that severely affect the safety of journalists and media resilience.
💡Learn more about our key recommendations:
www.article19.org/resources/bu...
⚠️ IT'S A (DOUBLE) SLAPP!
@casecoalition.bsky.social has verified TWO new SLAPPs, both concerning Italian citizens who tried to raise their voices for the public good.
📣 Italy, where are your SLAPP protections? 👀
#StopSLAPPs
We are in #Sofia 🇧🇬 #Bulgaria with our partners from @coemediafreedom.bsky.social & #MFRR to examine the safety of journos, media pluralism, #SLAPPs, and reforms under #EMFA
⚡Stay tuned for more!
www.article19.org/resources/bu...
On the fifth anniversary of her arrest, ARTICLE 19 calls for the release of Viasna member and human rights defender Marfa Rabkova.
Belarusian authorities must free all activists, journalists and independent lawyers held in arbitrary detention without delay.
www.article19.org/resources/be...
Today marks 5 years since #MarfaRobkova was unjustly detained in #Belarus, imprisoned for fighting for free and democratic elections. We continue to demand her immediate and unconditional release: www.indexoncensorship.org/campaigns/le...
17.09.2025 08:52 — 👍 6 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
We welcome the release of @rferl.org.web.brid.gy journalist Ihar #Losik from Belarusian detention. He spent over 5 years behind bars on politically motivated charges. For 1,5 years he was denied communication with his family.
Pressure matters.
www.rferl.org/a/rfe-journa...
Our Joanna Szymańska spoke to ABC Australia about 🇷🇺 #Russia’s push to replace WhatsApp & Telegram with MAX, a new state-controlled messenger. This move is part of a global trend of tightening control over the free flow of information. #Censorship #FoE
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
