Around the time of International Press Freedom Day, the EU lauded a free press, while simultaneously sanctioning critical journalists and having their bank accounts frozen. In Berlin, an EU poster promoted the protection of press freedom. However, the case of Berlin-based journalist Hüseyin Dogru highlights this central conflict. The Council of the EU accuses him of supporting Russian destabilization efforts. To date, no public evidence of a concrete link to Moscow has been presented. His bank accounts have been frozen; as a result, his family of five has been living at subsistence level for roughly a year. (berliner-zeitung: 04.05.26)
Sanctions Against Journalists Despite Freedom Campaign
On World Press Freedom Day, the EU Commission declared: “Let the truth be told; let the press be free.” Furthermore, it emphasized the role of free media in democracy and in holding power to account. At the same time, however, Brussels is targeting critics with measures that jeopardize their economic existence.
Dogru posted a photo on X standing in front of an EU poster in Berlin. On it, the EU advocated for the protection of a free press. However, he wrote—paraphrasing—that it was precisely because of his work that the Council of the European Union had sanctioned him.
Disinformation Becomes a Political Lever
According to the source material, since May of last year, the EU has placed dozens of bloggers, activists, and journalists on a controversial sanctions list. Brussels frequently cites disinformation as the justification. Yet, in many cases, a publicly transparent process is lacking.
This creates a risk for independent reporting. For without formal charges or transparent evidence, a mere political accusation can trigger severe consequences. At the same time, the line between targeted manipulation and sharp criticism of EU institutions is becoming blurred.
Media Funding and Internet Control
Nearly 80 million euros flow annually into media projects both within and outside the EU. Among the beneficiaries are established providers such as ANSA, dpa, and Deutsche Welle. However, these programs often operate under buzzwords such as “fact-checking,” “disinformation,” or “EU awareness-raising.”
In parallel, Brussels is planning new interventions in the digital sphere. Following the controversy surrounding “chat control,” mandatory age verification for online services is now coming into focus. Officially, this measure serves the purpose of child protection; however, critics warn of the imposition of mandatory identity verification on the internet.
In the future, users may be required to verify their identity via an app. This would affect social media and other platforms. Furthermore, services such as VPNs could come under increased scrutiny, as they enable anonymous browsing. Whether stricter regulations or outright bans will follow, however, remains to be seen.