Europe’s free-speech crisis: launching the fightback

This session is part of Battle of Ideas Helsinki 2026.

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, recently declared, paradoxically, that ‘Expansive restrictions on expression are necessary to protect democratic values’.

In doing so, she highlighted the big challenge of our times. Where free speech was once understood as foundational to democracy, today it is presented as a threat to be restricted.  In Europe – the birthplace of ideas such as toleration, freedom of conscience and liberty, and for centuries a crucible for open debate – free expression is now in crisis. Cancel culture, blasphemy laws, media regulations, online censorship, cultural boycotts and even firewalling political ideas suggest we have surrendered our most important value.

The free-speech crisis necessitates a robust response. To address the challenges, the UK-based Academy of Ideas is looking for organisations, activists and public intellectuals from across Europe who might be interested in working with us in pioneering a European Free Speech Network. The long-term objective of the network will be to build a resilient, sustainable, public oriented, European culture of free speech.

Join us at this short lunchtime discussion to find out more about the issues that matter and how you can join with European colleagues in pursuit of a free speech future.