A troubling trend is taking root across Europe. Inspired by a 2012 Russian law, several authoritarian regimes are now experimenting with so-called "foreign agent laws." In Russia, this legislation has severely weakened political opposition, civil society, and independent media. It asks organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register with the authorities as “foreign agents.”
In his report Foreign Agent Laws: A Worrying Trend, Christian Holland notes that “The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that the archetypal foreign agent law violates fundamental rights and exhibits the “hallmarks of totalitarianism”, imposing punitive sanctions on NGOs and curtailing journalists’ ability to participate in public life.” In Georgia, a similar law was introduced in 2023 but was withdrawn after significant public and media resistance—only to be passed by the pro-Russian government in May 2024. Other countries are following. In May 2025, an EU member—Viktor Orbán’s Hungary—considered adopting such a law. Though it has been postponed, the threat still looms over the survival of Hungarian independent media.
So, how can we resist the interference of regimes seeking to suppress independent journalism? Can pan-European solidarity movements and networks help push back against these authoritarian measures? And what lessons can be drawn from media organisations already operating under foreign agent laws—so we can better prepare for what may come?
With:Gábor Kardos (444), Mariam Nikuradze (OC Media), Ena Bavčić (European Centre for Press and Media Freedom), Manon Moulin (Reset! network)
Moderation: Alexandra Tyan (Sphera & Médianes)
All content for Radio Lab is the property of European Lab and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
A troubling trend is taking root across Europe. Inspired by a 2012 Russian law, several authoritarian regimes are now experimenting with so-called "foreign agent laws." In Russia, this legislation has severely weakened political opposition, civil society, and independent media. It asks organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register with the authorities as “foreign agents.”
In his report Foreign Agent Laws: A Worrying Trend, Christian Holland notes that “The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that the archetypal foreign agent law violates fundamental rights and exhibits the “hallmarks of totalitarianism”, imposing punitive sanctions on NGOs and curtailing journalists’ ability to participate in public life.” In Georgia, a similar law was introduced in 2023 but was withdrawn after significant public and media resistance—only to be passed by the pro-Russian government in May 2024. Other countries are following. In May 2025, an EU member—Viktor Orbán’s Hungary—considered adopting such a law. Though it has been postponed, the threat still looms over the survival of Hungarian independent media.
So, how can we resist the interference of regimes seeking to suppress independent journalism? Can pan-European solidarity movements and networks help push back against these authoritarian measures? And what lessons can be drawn from media organisations already operating under foreign agent laws—so we can better prepare for what may come?
With:Gábor Kardos (444), Mariam Nikuradze (OC Media), Ena Bavčić (European Centre for Press and Media Freedom), Manon Moulin (Reset! network)
Moderation: Alexandra Tyan (Sphera & Médianes)
L’Europe face aux géants : une troisième voie pour la tech ?
Radio Lab
1 hour 18 minutes 53 seconds
6 months ago
L’Europe face aux géants : une troisième voie pour la tech ?
L’intelligence artificielle est devenue un enjeu stratégique mondial, au cœur de la rivalité entre les États-Unis et la Chine. Derrière les avancées technologiques, ce sont des logiques de pouvoir, de souveraineté et de contrôle qui se dessinent, impactant directement nos sociétés et nos démocraties. Face à cette polarisation croissante, quel rôle imaginer pour l’Europe ? Peut-elle exister comme une troisième voie démocratique et souveraine, ou est-elle condamnée à rester spectatrice de cette course technologique effrénée ? Ce panel explorera les grands enjeux géopolitiques de l’IA, des stratégies industrielles et réglementaires aux questions de sécurité, de gouvernance et de contrôle de l’information en période de crise. La discussion sera animée par Nicolas Houguet, journaliste qui analyse pour Blast les transformations induites par l’intelligence artificielle et leurs conséquences politiques et sociétales.
avec Angie Gaudion (Framasoft | FR), Célestine Rabouam (Doctorante à l’Institut Français de Géopolitique et au GEODE | FR), Tariq Krim (Cybernetica | FR)
Modération : Nicolas Houguet (Blast | FR)
Radio Lab
A troubling trend is taking root across Europe. Inspired by a 2012 Russian law, several authoritarian regimes are now experimenting with so-called "foreign agent laws." In Russia, this legislation has severely weakened political opposition, civil society, and independent media. It asks organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register with the authorities as “foreign agents.”
In his report Foreign Agent Laws: A Worrying Trend, Christian Holland notes that “The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that the archetypal foreign agent law violates fundamental rights and exhibits the “hallmarks of totalitarianism”, imposing punitive sanctions on NGOs and curtailing journalists’ ability to participate in public life.” In Georgia, a similar law was introduced in 2023 but was withdrawn after significant public and media resistance—only to be passed by the pro-Russian government in May 2024. Other countries are following. In May 2025, an EU member—Viktor Orbán’s Hungary—considered adopting such a law. Though it has been postponed, the threat still looms over the survival of Hungarian independent media.
So, how can we resist the interference of regimes seeking to suppress independent journalism? Can pan-European solidarity movements and networks help push back against these authoritarian measures? And what lessons can be drawn from media organisations already operating under foreign agent laws—so we can better prepare for what may come?
With:Gábor Kardos (444), Mariam Nikuradze (OC Media), Ena Bavčić (European Centre for Press and Media Freedom), Manon Moulin (Reset! network)
Moderation: Alexandra Tyan (Sphera & Médianes)
