Fidesz MEP Tamás Deutsch said the European Union is using legislative tools to “grossly, radically” curb freedom of speech and opinion.
Deutsch told a conference in Budapest on Tuesday that the EU was working to introduce “mandatory rules of conduct” in various areas. He said recently adopted media regulations ran afoul of member states’ regulations as well as common EU rules. Meanwhile, “to eliminate unwanted views”, the EU also wanted to expand its definition of hate speech and reform regulations on political advertising, he added. Deutsch said, “the attack on the freedom of opinion is not a dystopia or a plan; it’s reality.” The new legislation could come into force in every member state within months, bringing legal and financial sanctions against alternative opinions, he said. “We must fight against attacks on our personal, community, national or European freedom”, Deutsch said, adding that such efforts amounted to a “fight for freedom”.