Author:
Neves Catarina,Merrill Roberto,Miguel Ricardo,Forte Rui
Abstract
AbstractThis chapter aims to analyse the impact of the first measures against COVID-19 regarding freedom of press and freedom of expression in the first pandemic wave (from January to June 2020). To do this, we used EXCEPTIUS data and discuss whether the policies used to fight COVID-19, particularly those targeting the spread of information, contributed to the erosion of fundamental rights and freedoms in the European context. Our chapter describes how restrictive measures varied across Europe and engages in a normative debate on the extent to which liberal democracies had a legitimate claim to restrict freedom to fight COVID-19. It is a debate on whether freedom of expression should be curtailed or not, a process that might lead to the erosion of democracy, or instead contribute to making it more robust, particularly in the context of a public health crisis, such as the one imposed by COVID-19.
Publisher
Springer Nature Switzerland
Reference19 articles.
1. Amadio Viceré, M. G., & Tercovich, G. (2020). The high representative and the COVID-19 crisis: A preliminary assessment. Global Affairs, 6(3), 287–299.
2. Berlin, I. (2014). “Two Concepts of Liberty”. Reading Political Philosophy, 231–237. Routledge. (originalpublication 1969).
3. Borrell. (2020). Response to disinformation around COVID-19: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the Read-out of the College meeting. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/response-disinformation-around-COVID-19-remarks-high-representativevice-president-josep_en
4. Brown, Étienne. (2023). Free speech and the legal prohibition of fake news. Social Theory and Practice.
5. Committee to Protect Journalists. (n.d.). COVID-19 and Press Freedom. https://cpj.org/COVID-19/