Nordic Sidebar, Helsinki
The opening panel of European Voices focused on young Europeans and political expression in the digital public square, a space increasingly influenced by EU digital regulation and platform accountability standards. Moderated by Izabella Nilsson, the discussion examined how digital platforms shape political participation, public debate, and generational engagement across Europe. Speakers included Markus Johansson-Martis, Hlédís Maren Guðmundsdóttir, Stig Even Lillestøl, and Marlon Uljee. The panel highlighted the tension between openness, regulation, and political agency in Europe’s digital debate, underlining the strategic importance of safeguarding democratic participation within the European Union.
The keynote address, Defending Freedom of Speech in Europe: Transatlantic Lessons, was delivered by James O’Keefe, Founder of OMG Media. The speech addressed the structural challenges facing freedom of expression in Europe and examined how EU regulatory frameworks interact with media accountability and investigative journalism. Drawing comparisons with the American experience, it reflected on institutional pressure, transparency standards, and the future of dissent in democratic systems.
Panel II examined investigative journalism, regulation, and control over public narratives in Europe. Moderated by Hanne Tolg, the panel brought together James O’Keefe, Jacob Hagnell, Holger Thuss, and Nora Junco García. The discussion focused on the balance between regulation, media freedom, and the public’s right to information within the EU’s evolving legal architecture.
A featured interview titled Europe’s Last Democratic Frontier: A conversation on courage, truth, and political expression explored the state of democratic debate in Europe. Moderated by Katie Hagström, the discussion brought together Sebastian Tynkkynen and Mateusz Morawiecki, President of the ECR Party, who addressed the audience via video message.
The closing panel, The Battle for the Western Public Square, addressed the future of open debate in Europe and the transatlantic space. Moderated by Chang Frick, the panel featured Greg Swenson, Matias Turkkila, and George Simion. Speakers discussed structural challenges to free expression, the institutional resilience of European democracies, and the role of media in shaping the Western public square in an era of geopolitical realignment.
