20/03/2025 European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
Addressing the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament today in Strasbourg, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate of Poland, called on European leaders to stand firmly in defense of freedom of expression. “We must actively fight for it,” she urged, warning that this fundamental right is under threat from both external and internal forces.
She highlighted the dangers posed by authoritarian states spreading disinformation, as well as the erosion of truth in democratic societies. “Lies repeated a thousand times may appear to be true,” she cautioned, stressing the need for firm action against misinformation and unjust legal pressures on journalists. She also warned against the increasing polarisation of societies, fueled by digital censorship and manipulated public discourse.
“We must strengthen European unity and solidarity because we do so in the name of defending our freedom,” she declared. Reaffirming that freedom of speech is at the heart of European identity, she called for strong institutions, independent judiciaries, and digital education to counter these growing threats.