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The European Union is a political, economic and social union between 27 member states, founded on the values of respect for human dignity and rights, freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
There are a variety of ways the EU can promote those values and objectives, and doing so has the potential to set global standards around the world.
ARTICLE 19 works directly with legislators, policy makers, regulators, relevant stakeholders and partners, including consumer and civil society organisations, to ensure that EU rules and frameworks uphold its stated commitments to human rights, particularly the right to free expression and the right to information. We do so mainly through advocacy, research, and the shaping of policy proposals.
Among others, our advocacy is focused on ensuring that the right to free expression is respected both online and offline; that digital and media markets operate in the interest of the citizens and are compatible with democratic resilience; that new technologies comply with international human rights standards; and that Europe is a place where free, independent and pluralist media can thrive and journalists can hold power to account without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Platform and digital markets regulation
Big tech companies exercise unprecedented power to decide what we see and access, how we interact with each other and what we can and cannot say online.
With no accountability and driven by an exploitative business model, the actions of those companies have led to human rights violations, including gross violations of privacy, freedom of expression and non-discrimination.
ARTICLE 19 has long argued that successful regulation of digital services must place protection of human rights and free speech online at its core. We also believe that taming corporate power in the digital markets with competition law and policy is crucial to ensuring people have genuine choice around their activities online.
Digital Networks Act: Future of connectivity requires diversity, not concentration
Sovereignty washing: a critical reading of EU’s Tech Sovereignty Package
EU: Europe’s cloud problem is not capacity, it’s control
EU: European Centre for Democratic Resilience and its key mission
Digital Networks Act: Manufactured crisis that could break Europe’s internet
EU: Principles for a Human Rights-Centred Application of the DSA
EU: Antitrust probe into Google’s use of content for AI is an important step
Europe: Investigations into cloud computing under DMA a welcome move
EU: Democracy Shield must bolster independent media and protect journalists
Digital Markets Act: Unlocking contestability and fairness in cloud and AI
EU Court of Justice: Strengthen fundamental rights obligations of DSA
EU: Uphold hard-won protections for digital human rights
Digital Markets Act: Apple impedes interoperability and user choice
The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI
EU: Digital markets must be safeguarded by rigorous merger enforcement
Digital Markets Act: Civil society calls for investigation into Alphabet’s non-compliance
Blog: Why ‘The Quiet Son’ invites more from digital policy makers in the EU
EU: The Times They Are A-Changin – AI governance at a crossroads
EU: Reopening GDPR is a threat to rights and the future of EU digital policy
EU: Fines for breaching Digital Markets Act a crucial step in the right direction
Digital Markets Act: Reaction to Commission’s decision on requesting Apple interoperability
European Commission: Google’s non-compliance with Digital Markets Act
Europe: Addressing disinformation and protecting information integrity
Italy: Call for full transparency after editor targeted with spyware
Digital Markets Act: Europe’s digital competitiveness at stake
European Commission: Ensure Apple provides interoperability under Digital Markets Act
Digital Markets Act: Trends, gaps, and insights from the first year of enforcement
European Commission: Refusal to probe AI merger threatens fair competition
EU Court of Justice: Stripchat must not evade fundamental rights obligations
European Commission: Protect AI stack competition and investigate Nvidia merger
EU: ARTICLE 19 leads call for stronger EU guidelines against abusive practices by dominant companies
EU: Political posturing vs. human rights – Breton’s flawed vision for DSA enforcement
International: Competition authorities’ intent to share insights on AI policy a positive step
European Commission: Apple must comply with the Digital Markets Act
EU: Platforms’ election risk mitigation measures must put human rights first
EU: Submission to European Commission on competition and generative AI
Technology and surveillance
The development of new technologies brings with itself a lot of promise but it can also have grave consequences for human rights and democracy.
The unchecked development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence, biometric and other surveillance technologies threaten our fundamental rights. Certain practices, such as indiscriminate or arbitrarily-targeted use of facial recognition in public spaces should never be allowed as they are simply incompatible with democratic values and human rights
ARTICLE 19 advocates for EU regulation which ensures transparency and oversight, and protects our rights to privacy and data protection; the right to freedom of expression; rights to free assembly and association; and the rights to equality and non-discrimination.
Sovereignty washing: a critical reading of EU’s Tech Sovereignty Package
France: Media freedom mission amid increased attacks against journalists
Europe: Time to address cloud infrastructure monopolies
EU: Democracy Shield must bolster independent media and protect journalists
Digital Markets Act: Unlocking contestability and fairness in cloud and AI
EU: Uphold hard-won protections for digital human rights
Hungary: Independent journalists stand firm amid heavy political pressure
The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI
EU: Code of Practice on General Purpose AI – a masterclass in corporate compromise
EU: Rule of Law report must prompt strong action to protect media freedom
Hungary: EU Commission needs to defend fundamental rights
EU: The Times They Are A-Changin – AI governance at a crossroads
EU: Resilient journalism crucial in Europe’s defence and preparedness agenda
EU: Code of Practice for General Purpose AI cannot abandon fundamental rights
AI Summit: In the rush to embrace AI, do not sacrifice human rights
EU: Human rights must guide the Commission’s upcoming AI Act implementation
European Commission: Protect AI stack competition and investigate Nvidia merger
EU: Safeguarding human rights in the Code of Practice on General-Purpose AI
Media and journalism
In recent years, the attacks on journalists in the EU have increased at a worrying rate and governments have made more attempts to curtail independence of media outlets.
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) continue to threaten public watchdogs, as powerful individuals use their money and influence to discourage journalists from reporting on public interest topics.
ARTICLE 19 works to ensure that the EU creates robust protections for journalists and media freedom. We support the development of anti-SLAPPs regulation and of regulatory frameworks that guarantee media plurality, freedom and independence.
Poland: Landmark day for journalists as president signs anti-SLAPP law
France: Critical juncture for media freedom ahead of 2027 election
France: Media freedom mission amid increased attacks against journalists
EU: As deadline passes, we call for urgent implementation of Anti-SLAPP Directive
Czech Republic: Funding bill puts public media independence at risk
Serbia: Total impunity entrenched 27 years after killing of Slavko Ćuruvija
Slovakia: Plans for restructuring and layoffs threaten independent media
EU: European Centre for Democratic Resilience and its key mission
Poland: Decriminalisation of defamation is crucial for tackling SLAPPs
Italy: Go beyond anti-SLAPP Directive to better protect free expression
Europe: Increasingly hostile environment for journalists
European Court of Human Rights: End legal attacks for reporting sexual violence
Slovakia: Continued call for full justice for Kuciak assassination
EU: Democracy Shield sets priorities but requires solid implementation plan
EU: Democracy Shield must bolster independent media and protect journalists
Hungary: Independent journalists stand firm amid heavy political pressure
