There are a number of challenges to media freedom within the EU, in particular media ownership patterns, political and state pressure in the operation of the media and overly prescriptive regulation of the media.
Many EU member states have failed to adequately protect freedom of information, and there are hate speech laws within the EU that do not allow enough protection for free expression
The law of libel, privacy and national “insult” laws vary across the European Union. In a number of member states, criminal sanctions are still in place and public interest defences are inadequate, curtailing freedom of expression.
As Greece prepares to take on the presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, the country continues to grapple with the free expression fallout from its financial crisis. Christos Syllas reports
Since the entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December 2009, which made the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding, the EU has gained an important tool to deal with breaches of fundamental rights.
Human Right’s lawyer, Keir Starmer, who has just completed a five year stint as Director of Public Prosecutions for the Crown Prosecution Service, has been active in drawing up guidelines for sensitive areas of criminal law. Julia Farrington writes
The glossy image presented in the title edited by President Aliyev’s daughter is in stark contrast to the country of those fighting for democracy, writes Milana Knezevic
The coverage of Ukrainian protests in the Russian media suggests a centralised anti-EU message and has provoked outrage in Kiev. Alastair Sloan reports
Fears for NGOs and free speech as UK’s Lobbying Transparency bill threatens to put kibosh on campaigning. Alex Stevenson reports
Athletes have used the Olympics to deliver political messages in the past, writes Milana Knezevic