Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Europe’s free-speech crisis: hype or reality?
These introductory speeches were filmed by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival 2025
#freespeech
#digitalcensorship
#democracy
‘In Britain and across Europe, free speech… is in retreat’ declared US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year.
Many will smart at a dressing down from the Trump White House, itself decried as an energetic foe of speech it dislikes. But there’s little doubt that throughout Europe, free speech is under pressure. Free speech is no longer a given virtue and is now the subject of bitter disputes: cancel culture, blasphemy laws, press regulations, online censorship and cultural boycotts. The firewalling of political ideas threatens the very freedoms that made Europe the font of thriving democracies. If the birthplace of ideas such as toleration, freedom of conscience and liberty itself is surrendering its freedom of speech, why is this and how can we address the crisis? How can those who value free speech ensure that Europe once again rediscovers the values of tolerance and free speech as the foundation of a democratic society?
The speakers on the panel are:
Dr Norman Lewis
Visiting research fellow, MCC Brussels
John McGuirk
Editor, Gript Media
Jacob Mchangama
Executive director, The Future of Free Speech
Dr Lola Salem
Lecturer in French and music, University of Oxford; author; professional singer, Maîtrise de Radio France
The chair is:
Alastair Donald
Co-convenor, Battle of Ideas festival; convenor, Living Freedom; organiser, European Free Speech Network
WORLDwrite is a volunteer-run citizen TV channel that stands up for free speech – no ifs or buts. We film hard-hitting political debates, including panels from the Battle of Ideas festival, tackling taboo topics and defending ordinary people against contempt and censorship.
We train hundreds of young adults every year to shoot the arguments that matter, producing fearless films on politics, democracy, freedom, and global equality. This is Citizen TV that punches above its weight.
Subscribe for unapologetic documentaries, debate and dissent.
With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite Or hit the Donate button below the video. Thank You.
Europe’s free-speech crisis: hype or reality?
These introductory speeches were filmed by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival 2025
#freespeech
#digitalcensorship
#democracy
‘In Britain and across Europe, free speech… is in retreat’ declared US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year.
Many will smart at a dressing down from the Trump White House, itself decried as an energetic foe of speech it dislikes. But there’s little doubt that throughout Europe, free speech is under pressure. Free speech is no longer a given virtue and is now the subject of bitter disputes: cancel culture, blasphemy laws, press regulations, online censorship and cultural boycotts. The firewalling of political ideas threatens the very freedoms that made Europe the font of thriving democracies. If the birthplace of ideas such as toleration, freedom of conscience and liberty itself is surrendering its freedom of speech, why is this and how can we address the crisis? How can those who value free speech ensure that Europe once again rediscovers the values of tolerance and free speech as the foundation of a democratic society?
The speakers on the panel are:
Dr Norman Lewis
Visiting research fellow, MCC Brussels
John McGuirk
Editor, Gript Media
Jacob Mchangama
Executive director, The Future of Free Speech
Dr Lola Salem
Lecturer in French and music, University of Oxford; author; professional singer, Maîtrise de Radio France
The chair is:
Alastair Donald
Co-convenor, Battle of Ideas festival; convenor, Living Freedom; organiser, European Free Speech Network
WORLDwrite is a volunteer-run citizen TV channel that stands up for free speech – no ifs or buts. We film hard-hitting political debates, including panels from the Battle of Ideas festival, tackling taboo topics and defending ordinary people against contempt and censorship.
We train hundreds of young adults every year to shoot the arguments that matter, producing fearless films on politics, democracy, freedom, and global equality. This is Citizen TV that punches above its weight.
Subscribe for unapologetic documentaries, debate and dissent.
With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/charity/worldwrite Or hit the Donate button below the video. Thank You.
