Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-003878/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sarah Knafo (ESN)
On 24 August 2024, Pavel Durov, founder of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested at Paris–Le Bourget Airport. He remains under investigation, as the French authorities deem his app to be too permissive.
On 28 February 2025, C8, one of the most watched and recognised channels for its pluralism, ceased broadcasting following a decision by Arcom.
On 10 July 2025, French MP Aurore Bergé announced that a coalition of associations would be created to combat hate speech online, entrusting the role of digital policing to private and politicised entities which have no democratic mandate.
These events raise serious concerns about respect for freedom of expression and media pluralism in France, principles enshrined in Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
- 1.How does the Commission assess the growing role of unelected bodies in media and digital regulation?
- 2.What measures does it envisage to ensure that any action to combat online abuse remains subject to strict review by the courts, in order to avoid any infringement of fundamental freedoms?
Submitted: 2.10.2025