Our work in the European Union

A pro EU demonstration in Italy where a member of the crowd holds up an EU flag int he centre of the image

Image: MikeDotta / Shutterstock

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. 

Platform and digital markets regulation resources

EU: Telecom interests must not trump human rights
23.05.2023 4 min read

EU: Telecom interests must not trump human rights

Click here to go to article
EU: European Commission must guard against exploitative abuses
11.05.2023 3 min read

EU: European Commission must guard against exploitative abuses

Click here to go to article
EU: network fees threaten consumer rights and choice
03.05.2023 9 min read

EU: network fees threaten consumer rights and choice

Click here to go to article
EU: Ensure robust civil society involvement to enforce Digital Services Act
02.05.2023 4 min read

EU: Ensure robust civil society involvement to enforce Digital Services Act

Click here to go to article
Taming the Titans podcast: Momentum is Building – So Where Now?
28.02.2023 1 min read

Taming the Titans podcast: Momentum is Building – So Where Now?

Click here to go to article
Podcast: Taming the Titans
15.02.2023 2 min read

Podcast: Taming the Titans

Click here to go to article
Taming the Titans podcast: Hope on the Horizon
14.02.2023 1 min read

Taming the Titans podcast: Hope on the Horizon

Click here to go to article
Taming the Titans podcast: Big Tech to Titan Tech
07.02.2023 1 min read

Taming the Titans podcast: Big Tech to Titan Tech

Click here to go to article
EU: More transparency needed in merger control
30.01.2023 3 min read

EU: More transparency needed in merger control

Click here to go to article
EU: Rules for political advertising must protect democracy and human rights
01.11.2022 2 min read

EU: Rules for political advertising must protect democracy and human rights

Click here to go to article
Twitter: What Elon Musk must do if he really wants to protect free speech
28.10.2022 4 min read

Twitter: What Elon Musk must do if he really wants to protect free speech

Click here to go to article
EU: Participation of civil society in competition law enforcement crucial
19.10.2022 3 min read

EU: Participation of civil society in competition law enforcement crucial

Click here to go to article
Digital markets: Why competition is good for freedom of expression
27.07.2022 5 min read

Digital markets: Why competition is good for freedom of expression

Click here to go to article
EU: Ensure effective enforcement of Digital Markets Act
28.06.2022 4 min read

EU: Ensure effective enforcement of Digital Markets Act

Click here to go to article
EU: Protect privacy and free expression by withdrawing Internet law
08.06.2022 10 min read

EU: Protect privacy and free expression by withdrawing Internet law

Click here to go to article
EU: Dangers of the proposed regulation to fight child sexual abuse online
13.05.2022 4 min read

EU: Dangers of the proposed regulation to fight child sexual abuse online

Click here to go to article
EU: Fix Digital Markets Act flaws to protect competition and users’ rights
19.04.2022 2 min read

EU: Fix Digital Markets Act flaws to protect competition and users’ rights

Click here to go to article
EU: Digital Services Act crisis response mechanism must honour human rights
13.04.2022 8 min read

EU: Digital Services Act crisis response mechanism must honour human rights

Click here to go to article
EU: ARTICLE 19’s recommendations for the Digital Services Act trilogue
25.02.2022 8 min read

EU: ARTICLE 19’s recommendations for the Digital Services Act trilogue

Click here to go to article
EU: Users’ voices must be heard as Digital Markets Act comes into force
22.02.2022 5 min read

EU: Users’ voices must be heard as Digital Markets Act comes into force

Click here to go to article
EU: Digital Markets Act must enhance free speech
11.02.2022 7 min read

EU: Digital Markets Act must enhance free speech

Click here to go to article
Europe: ‘Right to be forgotten’ must not extend to media archives
24.01.2022 5 min read

Europe: ‘Right to be forgotten’ must not extend to media archives

Click here to go to article
EU: Another missed opportunity to ensure a pluralistic digital ecosystem
14.12.2021 3 min read

EU: Another missed opportunity to ensure a pluralistic digital ecosystem

Click here to go to article
EU: A diverse, decentralised digital services environment will protect rights
04.11.2021 4 min read

EU: A diverse, decentralised digital services environment will protect rights

Click here to go to article
EU: Civil society urges EU to fix algorithms
22.09.2021 15 min read

EU: Civil society urges EU to fix algorithms

Click here to go to article
EU: Stop platforms from suppressing public interest research
13.09.2021 8 min read

EU: Stop platforms from suppressing public interest research

Click here to go to article
Digital Services Act: IMCO draft report raises freedom of expression concerns
30.06.2021 5 min read

Digital Services Act: IMCO draft report raises freedom of expression concerns

Click here to go to article
Digital Markets Act: Civil Society addresses the European Parliament (IMCO)
29.06.2021 5 min read

Digital Markets Act: Civil Society addresses the European Parliament (IMCO)

Click here to go to article
EU: Due diligence obligations in the proposed Digital Services Act
21.05.2021 9 min read

EU: Due diligence obligations in the proposed Digital Services Act

Click here to go to article
EU: Regulation of Notice and Action procedures in the Digital Services Act
21.05.2021 4 min read

EU: Regulation of Notice and Action procedures in the Digital Services Act

Click here to go to article
EU: Regulation of recommender systems in the Digital Services Act
14.05.2021 7 min read

EU: Regulation of recommender systems in the Digital Services Act

Click here to go to article
Europe: ARTICLE 19 and the Digital Markets Act debate
05.05.2021 5 min read

Europe: ARTICLE 19 and the Digital Markets Act debate

Click here to go to article
EU: Disinformation guidance must protect freedom of expression
30.04.2021 3 min read

EU: Disinformation guidance must protect freedom of expression

Click here to go to article
EU: Focus on political ad transparency, not contents
02.04.2021 5 min read

EU: Focus on political ad transparency, not contents

Click here to go to article
EU: More ambitious DMA needs to shape digital markets of our future
11.03.2021 19 min read

EU: More ambitious DMA needs to shape digital markets of our future

Click here to go to article
EU: Joint letter on protecting end users’ rights in the Digital Markets Act
11.02.2021 8 min read

EU: Joint letter on protecting end users’ rights in the Digital Markets Act

Click here to go to article
EU: The Digital Markets Act must do more to protect end users’ rights
11.02.2021 5 min read

EU: The Digital Markets Act must do more to protect end users’ rights

Click here to go to article
At a glance: Does the EU Digital Services Act protect freedom of expression?
11.02.2021 18 min read

At a glance: Does the EU Digital Services Act protect freedom of expression?

Click here to go to article
EU: Open letter EU Commissioners on interoperability requirements
11.12.2020 3 min read

EU: Open letter EU Commissioners on interoperability requirements

Click here to go to article

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. 

Technology and surveillance resources

EU: Artificial Intelligence Act must do more to protect human rights
18.04.2023 9 min read

EU: Artificial Intelligence Act must do more to protect human rights

Click here to go to article
Europe: Journalists must be better protected as press freedom declines
15.03.2023 5 min read

Europe: Journalists must be better protected as press freedom declines

Click here to go to article
Emotion (Mis)Recognition: is the EU missing the point?
02.02.2023 9 min read

Emotion (Mis)Recognition: is the EU missing the point?

Click here to go to article
EU: Pegasus spyware Inquiry must hear the voices of human rights defenders
25.05.2022 7 min read

EU: Pegasus spyware Inquiry must hear the voices of human rights defenders

Click here to go to article
EU: Authoritarian technological surveillance versus fundamental rights
10.05.2022 5 min read

EU: Authoritarian technological surveillance versus fundamental rights

Click here to go to article
EU: AI development for military and national security must uphold rights
24.03.2022 1 min read

EU: AI development for military and national security must uphold rights

Click here to go to article
EU: Research into biometric technologies must be transparent
22.02.2022 6 min read

EU: Research into biometric technologies must be transparent

Click here to go to article
EU: Risky biometric technology projects must be transparent from the start
16.12.2021 7 min read

EU: Risky biometric technology projects must be transparent from the start

Click here to go to article
EU: NSO Group tech must be on global sanction list
03.12.2021 9 min read

EU: NSO Group tech must be on global sanction list

Click here to go to article
EU: Put fundamental rights first in AI Act
01.12.2021 2 min read

EU: Put fundamental rights first in AI Act

Click here to go to article
Europe: Artificial Intelligence Act must protect free speech and privacy
22.10.2021 21 min read

Europe: Artificial Intelligence Act must protect free speech and privacy

Click here to go to article
EU: Action needed to tackle spyware abuses after Pegasus revelations
15.09.2021 7 min read

EU: Action needed to tackle spyware abuses after Pegasus revelations

Click here to go to article
EU: New proposal on artificial intelligence must protect human rights
22.04.2021 6 min read

EU: New proposal on artificial intelligence must protect human rights

Click here to go to article
Open letter: European Commission must ban biometric mass surveillance
01.04.2021 10 min read

Open letter: European Commission must ban biometric mass surveillance

Click here to go to article
EU: Civil society challenges EU plans to expand biometric mass surveillance
15.12.2020 6 min read

EU: Civil society challenges EU plans to expand biometric mass surveillance

Click here to go to article

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.

Media and journalism resources

Italy: Half-baked defamation reforms will fail to protect journalists
24.05.2023 4 min read

Italy: Half-baked defamation reforms will fail to protect journalists

Click here to go to article
Europe: Jovanović and Saviano on legal actions to silence journalists
09.05.2023 13 min read

Europe: Jovanović and Saviano on legal actions to silence journalists

Click here to go to article
World Press Freedom Day 2023: Free expression drives all other human rights
26.04.2023 7 min read

World Press Freedom Day 2023: Free expression drives all other human rights

Click here to go to article
Serbia: Independent journalism faces biggest crisis in years
26.04.2023 15 min read

Serbia: Independent journalism faces biggest crisis in years

Click here to go to article
New global report: How are courts responding to SLAPPs?
19.04.2023 2 min read

New global report: How are courts responding to SLAPPs?

Click here to go to article
Event: SLAPPs against the media in Europe – Journalism Festival in Perugia
17.04.2023 2 min read

Event: SLAPPs against the media in Europe – Journalism Festival in Perugia

Click here to go to article
Greece: Impunity continues two years after murder of journalist
09.04.2023 3 min read

Greece: Impunity continues two years after murder of journalist

Click here to go to article
Italy: Thorough investigation essential after attack on journalist’s car
06.04.2023 4 min read

Italy: Thorough investigation essential after attack on journalist’s car

Click here to go to article
Netherlands: Protect civic space against SLAPPs and other legal tactics
03.04.2023 8 min read

Netherlands: Protect civic space against SLAPPs and other legal tactics

Click here to go to article
Europe and Central Asia: Tackling the Erosion of Free Speech
22.03.2023 2 min read

Europe and Central Asia: Tackling the Erosion of Free Speech

Click here to go to article
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Do not re-criminalise defamation
21.03.2023 5 min read

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Do not re-criminalise defamation

Click here to go to article
Malta: Press freedom groups urge PM to deliver strong media law reforms
16.03.2023 4 min read

Malta: Press freedom groups urge PM to deliver strong media law reforms

Click here to go to article
EU: Action required regarding the EC Safety of Journalists Recommendation
16.03.2023 7 min read

EU: Action required regarding the EC Safety of Journalists Recommendation

Click here to go to article
Europe: Journalists must be better protected as press freedom declines
15.03.2023 5 min read

Europe: Journalists must be better protected as press freedom declines

Click here to go to article
EU: How to protect media freedom in new regulation
01.03.2023 11 min read

EU: How to protect media freedom in new regulation

Click here to go to article
EU: A stronger European Media Freedom Act will protect democracy
09.02.2023 4 min read

EU: A stronger European Media Freedom Act will protect democracy

Click here to go to article
Europe: States must better protect public watchdogs from legal abuse
24.10.2022 2 min read

Europe: States must better protect public watchdogs from legal abuse

Click here to go to article
EU: Media Freedom Act is an important step in safeguarding media plurality
16.09.2022 7 min read

EU: Media Freedom Act is an important step in safeguarding media plurality

Click here to go to article
Europe: Media Freedom Rapid Response continues its vital work
18.05.2022 5 min read

Europe: Media Freedom Rapid Response continues its vital work

Click here to go to article
Europe Day: Open Letter to Commissioners for strong Media Freedom Act
09.05.2022 5 min read

Europe Day: Open Letter to Commissioners for strong Media Freedom Act

Click here to go to article
Europe: Erosion of media freedom casts a shadow on safety of journalists
28.04.2022 3 min read

Europe: Erosion of media freedom casts a shadow on safety of journalists

Click here to go to article