Free Press Forum will host its inaugural event on Tuesday, September 10, at Stanhope Hotel, Brussels, with esteemed experts to discuss the current climate and future of freedom of expression and pluralism across Europe.

Titled “FreePressForumEU: Discussions about the freedom of expression in the EU,” the event will focus on the key policies for press and media freedom—the European Media Freedom Act and the Digital Services Act—and how both can safeguard and limit our right to freedom of expression. 

Event programming: 

 14:00 – 14:15: Opening remarks 

 14:15 – 15:30: Free Speech in the EU: Challenges and Opportunities 

The Digital Services Act, since its implementation for very large online platforms (VLOPs) operating in the EU in August 2023, aims at protecting users by safeguarding fundamental rights online and establishing a transparency and accountability framework, which includes requirements for online content moderation, bans on certain targeted advertisements and an extra layer of protection against election disinformation, violence against women, and child abuse. After a year of being into force, and considering recent clashes between European regulators and Meta, X/Twitter, and lately, Telegram, how does the online freedom of expression look like in the EU? 

 15:30 – 16:00: Coffee & Refreshments  

 16:00 – 17:15: European Media Freedom Act and the future of pluralism in Europe 

Another landmark legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights of European citizens, the European Media Freedom Act, sets out rules and guidelines to protect media pluralism in the EU, including better guarantees for editorial independence, limits on the spyware use against journalists, and mechanisms for preventing large platforms from arbitrarily removing content. At the same time, according to several analyses and rankings, such as that of Reporters Without Borders, media freedom across Europe is steadily in decline, especially among the countries of the Eastern Block and the EU’s closest neighbors. How can EMFA better protect freedom of the press and pluralism across the EU and beyond? 

 17:15 – 19:00: Drinks & Networking Reception  

 It will be our pleasure to have you among our guests. 

 To join the event, please register by filling in the form below.