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A monthly round-up of Liberties' work: defence of EU digital sovereignty, new media freedom rules come into full effect, rule of law issues in Croatia, Italy’s security laws, and how the voice of European human rights organisations faded in the Middle East conflict.

Remember those summers when absolutely nothing seemed to happen? Well, while the EU’s elected leaders were cooling off in pools and summer houses (or, in Viktor Orban’s case, at the Croatian island of Brac, where his intimate lunch with the wealthiest Hungarian oligarch was shortly interrupted by our very own Balazs*), the enemies of democracy kept busy.

In China, the world’s autocrats gathered for Xi Jinping’s show of force. They tried to hide in the iconic group photo, but facts are facts: Slovakia’s Russia-leaning Prime Minister Fico and Hungary’s Foreign Minister Szijjártó—already declaring eternal friendship with Moscow—were right there, siding with the bad guys.

Trump spent the summer issuing further tariff threats. According to the latest news, the Commission was not swayed by this: it imposed a huge fine on Google for violating EU competition rules in the advertising market, based on a series of complaints Liberties and its members submitted under the leadership of Open Rights Group.

Let’s see if this momentum carries over into Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech on Wednesday, from which many expect her to finally break the silence on Gaza, set out her plan (or thoughts first?) for the sabotaged Green Deal, and last but not least, explain how the Civil Society Strategy will strengthen civil society, or how rule of law abuses will be linked to EU financial disbursements.

As for us at Liberties, we didn’t sit idle during the summer either. Take a look at what we were up to in August and what we have planned for September.

Wishing everyone a smooth landing back to school,

Valentin & the Liberties team

* PS: While we’ve seen photo evidence of this surreal encounter, we chose not to publish it—because as Balazs put it, "I cannot afford to appear in a photo with these gentlemen in public."

In Focus

European Media Freedom Act Comes Into Force As Concerns of Press Freedom Grow

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) entered fully into force last week (8 August), offering much-needed protections in a climate where media freedom is facing a multitude of threats. However, according to Liberties’ head of Tech & Rights division, Eva Simon, many Member States are either unprepared or actively resisting compliance. Learn more.

European democracy is not for sale—at any price.

Together with over 50 civil society organisations and independent experts, Liberties sent a letter to President von der Leyen calling for a firm, decisive and united approach to the Trump administration's escalating attacks on the EU's sovereign digital rulebook. Read the open letter here.

In The News

Italy’s new security laws: a democracy threat? Harsher penalties for road blockades and squats. Expanded police powers. The Meloni government says these laws are about protecting citizens. But critics—including many civil society organisations—warn this is an attempt to suppress dissent and criminalise young activists. #Italy is not alone. Across Europe, governments are seeking to restrict democratic tools. Our civic space expert, Kersty McCourt, highlights key cases in the Liberties Rule of Law Report—from Germany to France. Watch ARTE’s new report to learn more.

New European law on media freedom comes into effect: "The new EMFA came into force in August, aiming to safeguard press freedom and promote media pluralism across the European Union. Media freedom is increasingly under threat worldwide, including within the EU itself. A recent report by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe highlights growing concerns, noting that in several member states, such as Hungary and Slovakia, the media largely acts as a mouthpiece for those in power." More on BelgianNewsAgency

The Rule of Law in Times of Crisis: Assessing the EU 2025 Report. "The European Commission’s rule of law report highlights the worsening working conditions of journalists in several countries, including attacks, physical violence and online harassment. There are still serious concerns about the independence of media regulators and public broadcasters, according to the Civil Liberties Union for Europe’s own report. It revealed targeted attacks on journalists, state interference, concentration of media ownership and the weakening of public information." (Source: Efsyn, Greece)

Croatia under scrutiny: EU and international organizations warn of worsening human right. "Liberties published a report in which Croatia ranks among the five countries that systematically undermine the rule of law—together with Italy, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia." (Source: Naslovi, Croatia)

From the Arab Spring to Gaza: How did the voice of European human rights organizations fade? "In its rule of law report, Liberties documented that countries such as German, Belgium, and Hungary imposed restrictions on Palestinian slogans and flags, and that student demonstrations were dispersed with excessive force. Meanwhile, major European human rights organizations have taken only weak public statements expressing concern." (Source: Tahia, Egypt, in Arabic)

Member’s Corner

Daphne Foundation (Malta): Collaboration, Not Competition, Is Our Greatest Advantage | Meet Our Members

When Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated, her sister Corinne Vella stepped up, becoming the media voice in the family's fight for justice and continuation of Daphne's fearless investigative work through the Daphne Foundation. Check out this must-read interview with Corinne.

Antigone (Italy): Juvenile Justice Systems in Crisis

Antigone, Defence for Children Italia, and Libera have brought the crisis in Italy's juvenile justice system directly to the attention of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which will examine Italy this year. The report raises a clear alarm: Italy’s juvenile justice model, once an example in Europe, has lost its educational purpose and become increasingly punitive. The need for drastic reform was underscored when, just weeks later, a 17-year-old boy died by suicide just hours after his arrest in the Treviso juvenile detention center. Learn more.

The Peace Institute (Slovenia): Creating Sustainable and Socially Just Conditions for Migrant Workers

As part of the JUSTMIG project consortium, our Slovenian-based member, The Peace Institute, has published nine policy briefs that provide an overview of fixed-term contracting of migrant workers in nine countries and offer policy recommendations, while highlighting the need for policy change. The goal of the JUSTMIG project is to create sustainable and socially just transnational sectoral labour markets following the rise in temporary labour migration. Get the full story. [donation title={We rely on your contributions. Donate today.}]

Meet Us

Join the Liberties team at the re:constitution conference!

Our director, Balazs, will be giving a talk on EU rule of law processes and today’s most pressing challenges. Meanwhile, Ilina, Csilla, and Valentin will be waiting for you at the marketplace to connect and share insights. ✨Register now!

Read

EU staff revolt over Gaza stance (Politico)

Challenging the EU’s Deadly Partnership with Israel (Rosa Luxembourg Stiftung)

EU demands Israel amend restrictive new law on NGOs (EUObserver)

Tech bros used to be progressive. What happened? (Prospect)

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