ARTICLE 19 Europe

🖼️ 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝗹𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗟𝘁𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗲

The company filed a private criminal defamation case against a professor and city councillor for raising concerns about its development project

This is a textbook attempt to silence public-interest speech

Check it out 👉 www.the-case.eu/gallery-of-s...

Starting the year under pressure | ARTICLE 19 Europe ✨ Our first ARTICLE 19 Europe newsletter is here! We’ve survived what felt like the longest January, and February hasn’t been much easier. Across Europe and Central Asia, people continue to face chal...

✨ 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/...

Italy: Follow-up media freedom mission to Rome - ARTICLE 19 We will assess the developments for media freedom in Italy including political interference, legal harassment of journalists and threats to media pluralism.

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.

IOC bans Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych over 'helmet of remembrance' Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych is banned from competing at the Winter Olympics for continuing to wear a helmet which features images of athletes killed during Russia's invasion of his ...

🇺🇦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.

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). 🧵

One year on: Media freedom and journalist safety in Serbia Join the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) webinar on 4 November marking one year since Serbia’s Novi Sad tragedy and nationwide protests.

📣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

Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli: laureates of the 2025 Sakharov Prize | News | European Parliament The two journalists, imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, are the laureates of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, to be awarded by Parliament on 16 December.

🌟 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: Adopt new, transparent process to appoint Data Protection Commissioner - ARTICLE 19 Data Protection Commissioner has responsibility as lead supervisory authority for many of the world’s largest technology companies.

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: Car bomb attack on Sigfrido Ranucci rings alarm for media freedom - ARTICLE 19 ARTICLE 19 and partners strongly condemn the car bomb attack on one of Italy’s leading investigative journalists and his family.

🇮🇹 #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...

The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI — Open Markets Institute Join The Open Markets Institute and ARTICLE 19 on October 15th & 16th for a convening of high-level leading thinkers, lawmakers, technologists, and advocates to discuss the direct and growi...

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...

The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI YouTube video by Open Markets Institute

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

The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI YouTube video by Open Markets Institute

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."

The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI — Open Markets Institute Join The Open Markets Institute and ARTICLE 19 on October 15th & 16th for a convening of high-level leading thinkers, lawmakers, technologists, and advocates to discuss the direct and growi...

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...

Bulgaria: Press freedom undermined by political polarisation and delayed reforms - ARTICLE 19 The government must implement both domestic and EU-mandated reforms to protect media freedom and journalists in Bulgaria.

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...

a cartoon drawing of a red alarm with the words siren blaring above it ALT: a cartoon drawing of a red alarm with the words siren blaring above it

⚠️ 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

Bulgaria: Mission to examine media freedom and independent journalism - ARTICLE 19 The mission will assess the safety of journalists, media regulation, public broadcasting, media pluralism, defamation and SLAPPs, media ownership and the reform process required under EMFA.

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...

Belarus: After five years of arbitrary detention, freedom for Marfa Rabkova now - ARTICLE 19 During her pre-trial detention, Marfa Rabkova’s health deteriorated significantly due to a lack of adequate medical care.

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...

RFE/RL Journalist Ihar Losik Freed After More Than 5 Years Of Brutal Detention In Belarus Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Ihar Losik has been freed after spending more than five years in brutal Belarusian detention on trumped up charges, the latest release of a political prisone...

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...