EU cracks down on independent journalism: Euractiv banned from commission briefings
By kevinhughes // 2025-12-23
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  • The European Commission barred Euractiv from confidential briefings, which editor-in-chief Matthew Karnitschnig alleges is retaliation for the outlet's scrutiny of European Union (EU) leadership, including debunking claims about Ursula von der Leyen's flight to Bulgaria and criticizing her proposed centralized intelligence service.
  • The ban has sparked backlash, with Karnitschnig declaring independent journalism in Brussels "an endangered species" and critics warning of growing authoritarianism within the EU, undermining press freedom.
  • The incident exposes the EU's reliance on "access journalism," where compliant outlets receive privileged briefings while critical outlets risk exclusion—a system Euractiv refuses to participate in, prioritizing editorial independence over insider access.
  • Despite being marketed as a safeguard for press freedom, critics warn the EMFA empowers governments to suppress dissent, allowing surveillance, arrests, and state interference in media operations—effectively weaponizing censorship under the guise of regulation.
  • Analysts argue the EU's earlier censorship of Russian and dissident media has escalated to silencing internal critics, setting a troubling precedent where even mainstream European journalists face suppression for challenging official narratives.
The European Commission has barred Brussels-based news outlet Euractiv from its confidential media briefings, a move that its editor-in-chief, Matthew Karnitschnig, describes as retaliation for the outlet's critical reporting on European Union (EU) leadership. The ban has sparked accusations of censorship and growing authoritarianism within the bloc, raising concerns about the erosion of press freedom in Europe. In a scathing editorial, Karnitschnig declared that independent journalism in Brussels is now "on the enemies list" and has become "an endangered species." He explained that Euractiv had recently intensified its scrutiny of the so-called "EU bubble"—the insular world of EU policymakers, lobbyists and bureaucrats—which he believes led to the Commission’s punitive action. "At the beginning of this year, we set about infusing the 'EU bubble' with a heavy dose of critical journalism," Karnitschnig wrote. "Not all recipients reacted well, least of all the Commission, which recently banned us from its background briefings—the off-the-record sessions during which President Ursula von der Leyen's advisers seek to steer the message they're trying to send on any given issue to the press." The Commission has not provided an official explanation for the ban, but Karnitschnig speculated that it may have been triggered by Euractiv's reporting debunking claims that Russian forces had disrupted navigation systems during von der Leyen's flight to Bulgaria, forcing pilots to rely on "paper maps." Alternatively, he suggested the ban could be linked to the outlet’s sharp criticism of von der Leyen's proposal for a centralized European intelligence service. The incident highlights the broader issue of "access journalism" in Brussels, where media outlets often depend on insider sources—EU officials, lobbyists and foreign governments—for exclusive information. This system creates a precarious balance: journalists who challenge official narratives risk losing access, while those who toe the line are rewarded with privileged briefings and leaks. Karnitschnig emphasized that Euractiv refuses to compromise its editorial independence for access. "You won't find us throwing champagne-fueled galas to toast the politicians we cover," he wrote. "Our commitment to readers is straightforward: to tell it like it is."

A growing pattern of censorship

The ban on Euractiv follows a broader trend of tightening media control in the EU. Critics argue that the bloc's European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), touted by von der Leyen as a safeguard for press freedom, may instead empower governments to suppress dissent. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, EMFA is an EU regulation aimed at protecting media pluralism, independence and freedom within the bloc. EMFA, proposed by the European Commission in May 2022, seeks to address challenges faced by European media, including concentration of media ownership, political interference and pressure, economic sustainability of independent media, and digital transformation and online disinformation. Cindy Harper of Reclaim the Net warned that the EMFA's framework allows Brussels and national authorities to determine "which voices remain active and which can be silenced." She noted that the legislation permits arrests, surveillance and increased state interference in media operations—effectively transforming it from a protective measure into a tool for censorship. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has also condemned the EU's crackdown on free expression, warning during the Munich Security Conference that European governments are "running in fear" from their own people. He argued that the greatest threat to democracy comes not from external adversaries like Russia or China but from the erosion of fundamental rights within Europe itself. Lucas Leiroz, a researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies and member of the BRICS Journalists Association, described the ban as evidence of the EU's escalating authoritarianism. "The EU has become averse to the idea of freedom of expression, thus violating its own classic European values," Leiroz wrote. "In practice, Brussels has become authoritarian not only against alternative, dissident and foreign media outlets but also against the European media itself." He warned that the EU's earlier censorship of Russian and dissident media set a dangerous precedent, paving the way for suppression of internal critics. "Now, having no more Russian, foreign, or opposition press to censor, the EU is beginning to ban its own journalists who criticize or disagree even slightly with some of the bloc's positions."

The future of independent journalism in Europe

The Euractiv ban raises urgent questions about the future of independent journalism in Europe. If critical outlets are excluded from official briefings—effectively blacklisted—they may struggle to hold power to account, leaving EU citizens reliant on state-approved narratives. Karnitschnig remains defiant, vowing that Euractiv will continue its mission despite the Commission's hostility. "We don't expect to be loved by the Commission for it, much less feared," he wrote. "Yet we do expect to be treated no different than any other media." As Brussels tightens its grip on the press, the battle for free expression in Europe appears far from over. The Euractiv case serves as a stark warning: in the EU's quest for centralized control, even its own journalists are no longer safe from censorship. Watch the video below about German journalist Thomas Röper, who was banned from broadcasting in the European Union. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com Euractiv.com DailyTelegraph.co.nz BRICSinformation.org BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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