Every veteran reporter has received this warning from a flame at some point in their career: ‘I’m not threatening you, but if you run the story…’
Before I arrived in Brussels last year, I could have counted the times I received such ultimatums on one hand (and I have been in this line of work for over 30 years). I don’t have enough numbers to keep track since then. In fact, I issued the latest “I’m not threatening you” threat as I was preparing this column this afternoon, in connection with an article you’ll find in our pages tomorrow morning.
Just yesterday, a spokesperson for the Commission sternly warned my colleague Eddy Wax “I won’t forget it”, regarding this morning’s edition of the Reporter.
We are not so precious that we cannot handle genuine criticism of our work. When that criticism turns into threats of retaliation, however, a thick red line is crossed.
Ursula von der Leyen’s press team is trying to erase this line. In addition to threats not to publish, we have been subject to frequent harassment from spokespeople, both over the phone and in person.
Last fall, one of von der Leyen’s spin doctors harassed one of our journalists at the Schuman watering hole. Devil’s Corner around one ITEM the journalist had not written and had nothing to do with it. We were next prohibited for a while from the Commission’s information on the same coverage.
A few months later, a spokeswoman for Vice President of the Executive Commission Teresa Ribera was very angry about a HistoRy We made it about her desire to meet fellow socialist Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, that she started shouting on the phone.
It is no coincidence that these coercive tactics originate from the European Commission. Although von der Leyen pays attention to the importance of a free and independent press, in practice, she exercises too much tight control of messages.
Scoops are awarded to those who play along, while those who don’t are punished by being restricted or denied access.
Brussels has long been a place where journalists coddle the powerful rather than hold them to account. It makes life easier. Moreover, many of the reporters here are dependent on EU subsidies and willing to trade journalistic integrity for access – to be heard.
we are not.
SP Flake of the Commission who threatened us with withdrawing access this afternoon: you have my answer.
Briefing
Russian tourists flock to Europe – New statistics show an increase in visas issued to Russian citizens last year, highlighting a reluctance to give up the income brought in by Russian tourists. More than 620,000 visas were issued for EU travel – an increase of 10.2% compared to 2024. Almost three quarters were in France, Italy and Spain.
Health experts warn that AI development outpaces legislation – Europe risks losing ground in the global race for it deploy artificial intelligence in healthcarehealth officials and EU experts warned, pointing to slow and fragmented policy-making as a major obstacle. One of the main challenges facing Europe is its limited ability to train AI tools on representative data, with experts stating that most AI software is using non-European data.
Progressives pose a challenge to the revision of the basic EU law on water – The Socialists, Greens and Renewal MPs are pushing to preserve Water Framework Directive – at the heart of EU environmental protection legislation – as the Commission prepares to propose a split for the mining and metals processing sectors as part of a wider effort to increase domestic extraction of essential minerals to reduce dependence on China. MEPs warn that “lowering environmental standards would not speed up projects, but would increase risks”.
Council weighs in on AI industrial deregulation – The council supported it cutting back on some EU rules for industrial AIpotentially paving the way for agreement on the AI simplification package. The move marks a victory for Berlin, which argued that the cuts were necessary for the competitiveness of Europe’s industrial sectors. National ambassadors overwhelmingly supported exempting machines from much of the AI Act, a shift from their previous positions.
All over Europe
France moves to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earths Paris has a new plan to ease Europe’s worries relying on China for supplies of rare earths and permanent magnets. France hopes to build domestic recycling, processing and machining capacity, which are essential processes in the production of magnets for use in clean technology and digital applications.
Italian defense company sees increase in orders – Italian defense giant Leonardo reports ‘excellent results’ for first quarter 2026, orders until almost a third. The company’s CEO emphasized that all key economic and financial indicators showed “significant progress.” The company also reported strong momentum in its helicopter, aeronautics and space divisions.
The Hantavirus ship will dock in Spain – A cruise ship was hit by one hantavirus outbreak will dock “within three days” in Granadilla on the island of Tenerife, Spain’s health minister said, despite opposition from the Canary Islands’ regional government. The minister emphasized that “a common system for health assessment and evacuation will be established to repatriate all passengers, unless their health condition prevents it”.
