Democratic Discourse 2.0

07.06.2017

Potentials and challenges in a new era of communication

The increased role of intermediaries in a convergent media environment and the rise of so-called “alternative media” raises questions about the future role of traditional media and journalism. Furthermore, the strategic use of algorithms and targeted diffusion of fake news on social media in the context of electoral campaigns show us that latest innovations and trends in the media environment have significant effects on how politics are discussed in our democratic societies.

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 15-18 May 2017

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary included: food waste; Commission statement: harnessing globalisation by 2025; ECJ ruling on competences of EU vs Member States in FTAs; Council and Commission statements - Making relocation happen; Vote on GMO objections; Situation in Hungary; Money laundering; Conclusions of the European Council meeting; Cross-border portability.

Digital borders in Europe to remain

Digital Single Market

The European Parliament has today adopted a new regulation that will ensure that Europeans who buy or subscribe to online content services are able to access them when they travel in other EU countries. Services like Netflix and Spotify will now be obliged to enable cross-border portability of their...

Despite small steps forward, geoblocking will continue

Geoblocking

The European Parliament has voted on a new regulation designed to limit the practice of “geoblocking”. While the regulation goes further than what was originally proposed by the European Commission, it falls far short of ending the practice.

Revised directive will help protect consumer interests

Audiovisual Media Services

The European Parliament’s Culture and Education Committee has voted on proposals to reform the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. This revision will extend the scope of the regulation to include video sharing platforms.

European Parliament stands up for consumer interests

Roaming

With the Parliament giving its approval to the results of the trialogue on roaming charges, lower prices have been secured for consumers and roaming costs will soon be a thing of the past. Not only this, but smaller providers will now also be able to compete with the big telecommunications corporations.

EU Commission must create a legal framework

Robots and artificial intelligence

The European Parliament has opened an urgently needed debate on creating an ethical and legal framework for the development and use of autonomous and intelligent machines. The European Commission must act and develop concrete legislative proposals.

European Ideas Lab

03.02.2017

Greens meet changemakers

During a three-day event, Greens/EFA welcomed more than 300 "changemakers" from around 130 organizations of most European countries. This lab was the opportunity for us to listen, discuss and develop ideas with our guests.

Roaming charges will become thing of the past

European Parliament defends consumer interests

The European Parliament has helped ensure that consumers will get a fair deal, with roaming charges to soon become a thing of the past.

Data protection

Rules must protect fundamental right to privacy

The European Commission has today presented its package on data protection. The proposals include measures relating to the existing ePrivacy directive, which protects personal data in electronic communication.

ECJ ruling on data retention

Swedish and UK regimes are incompatible with EU law

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has today ruled that the current data retention regimes for electronic communications services in Sweden and the UK are incompatible with EU law (1). The ECJ ruling states that "general and indiscriminate" retention of data is illegal, but does allow ...

Data protection

Transatlantic deal is great step forward

The European Parliament's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee has today adopted with a significant majority the EU-US data protection agreement for police and law enforcement authorities (“Umbrella agreement”). The agreement provides regulation for data protection when it comes t...