In recent years an increasing number of attacks and threats against journalists have been documented and reported in Europe. Physical attacks against journalists as well as online threats and harassment in reprisal for journalists' work are on the rise in several EU countries. Around the world, the number of dead and wounded journalists is still too high, as is the number of journalists who are detained, imprisoned and mistreated. The most recent Council of Europe assessment of press freedom in Europe reports that war remains a threat to press freedom and the safety of media workers. Reporters without Borders confirms that the situation is particularly dangerous for journalists, who are sometimes deliberately targeted by military fire despite displaying 'Press' identification.

EPRS policy podcast - Protection of journalists in the European Union

Current state-of-the-art hardware is not optimised for machine learning, and both academic and private sector research is already leading to new designs. At the same time, the need for more time- and energy-efficient machine-learning hardware is increasing as more consumers and companies want access to machine-learning applications. The EU has the opportunity to leverage its strong regulatory framework for AI products as a mark of trust and safety, while also investing to support the next generation of hardware, opening up a new market for Europe's high tech industry. What would happen if the EU formulated a cohesive plan to support these technologies through both research and economic policy?

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if Europe championed new AI hardware?

The European Parliament's Sakharov Prize honours the work of people who stand up for these freedoms and rights. This year's Sakharov Prize is to be awarded to María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuela's democratic forces, and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia. They represent all Venezuelans both inside and outside the country who are fighting to restore freedom and democracy.

EPRS policy podcast - Laureates of the 2024 Sakharov Prize

The need for accountability and increased scrutiny of the European Council has been a constant theme in the European Parliament's resolutions throughout the 2019-2024 legislative term. The increased need to scrutinise the European Council also results from the changing role of the institution over recent years. In this podcast, we analyse the need for democratic oversight of the European Council and outline the different tools at Parliament's disposal to do so. We also look at the content of Parliament's resolutions addressing the European Council and the messages it sends to the EU leaders.

EPRS policy podcast - European Parliament's scrutiny of the European Council: The use of Parliament resolutions

Ahead of the autumn 2024 Commissioners-designate hearings, Parliament has adapted the rules for the process, which will apply for the members of the second von der Leyen College. Since the 2004 investiture, Parliament has used its role in appointing the Commission to replace certain controversial candidates and force adjustments to certain portfolios, although according to the Treaties Parliament can only reject or accept the College as a whole. Confirmation hearings have become critical for Parliament to hold the Commission accountable, and have gained prominence as a tool for Parliament to take a greater role in EU agenda-setting.

EPRS policy podcast -  Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate

EPRS policy podcast - Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate

On Its first and constituent plenary sitting of the new parliamentary term (16-19 July 2024), the European Parliament will elect its 32nd President, to hold office for the first half of the 10th parliamentary term, until January 2026. The President has an important and increasingly visible function in the EU institutional and international setting, mirroring Parliament's influential role as shaper of EU policies and as co-legislator.

EPRS policy podcast - How is the European Parliament's President elected?

How does the EU regulate the post term activities of members of the EU institutions, as for example, Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament, as opposed to staff members? The European Ombudsman has looked the phenomenon, also called ‘revolving doors’ in the context of several individual cases; on a few occasions this has ended in an unsatisfactory outcome for the institution or body under investigation and prompted the European Ombudsman to make specific recommendations to avoid a repeat of maladministration in future cases.

EPRS policy podcast - Rules on 'revolving doors' in the EU

Exposure to 'forever chemicals', air pollution, stress and many other factors depends on where a person lives and their lifestyle choices. These exposures combine over the course of a lifetime, affecting human biology and health. The 'exposome' concept offers a framework for understanding and analysing this complex reality, and ultimately for informing the shaping of evidence-based policy on chemicals, food and the workplace, as well as on pollution, public health and the environment more generally.

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if focusing on the system, not just the symptoms, were key to health?

One of the most important roles of the European Parliament, next to legislating, is to hold the European Commission accountable. As the newly elected 720 Members of the European Parliament take their seats, one of their first and most important tasks will be to elect the next President of the European Commission, and, shortly after, to greenlight the Commissioners’ designate put forward by the Member States. Find out how this process works with us.

EPRS policy podcast - The role of the Parliament in appointing the new European Commission

With the European Elections now behind us, the process to kick-start the formation of the new European Parliament has begun. And a lot needs to happen between now and the official start of the new legislature on the 16th of July, in Strasbourg. So, if you’re a new Member of the European Parliament, and you’re listening to us, welcome to the European Parliament! Here’s what to expect next...

EPRS policy podcast - New European Parliament: First key tasks

Women continue to be under-represented in EU countries at all levels of political decision-making as well as in political parties. The origins of this situation are complex, but one reason stands out: violence against women active in politics discourages many women from entering the political arena. Women politicians are exposed to two severe and intersecting forms of violence: political violence and gender-based violence. Violence against women in politics takes multiple forms, from physical attacks to psychological and symbolic abuse, including sexual and sexist comments, online hate speech and sexual harassment, etc.

EPRS Policy Podcast - Violence against women active in politics in the EU: A serious obstacle to political participation

Getting involved in political life: standing for elected office, joining a political party, or following the news; is at the heart of what it means to live in a democracy. People with disabilities are active citizens, keen to participate given the right opportunities. However, they face legal, administrative, institutional and accessibility barriers to taking part. Several EU initiatives encourage people with disabilities to participate in politics. With the 2024 European elections on the horizon, the European Parliament is committed to helping them take part.

EPRS Policy Podcast - People with disabilities and the European elections

In June 2024, around 400 million EU citizens go to the polls to elect the Members of the European Parliament's 10th legislature. As the only EU institution that represents EU citizens, elections to the European Parliament are a major democratic event, and the only one at EU level that resembles national democratic electoral consultation. European elections, however, differ from the national version, as they are part of a context of multi-tier government, sometimes perceived as 'second order elections'. The main difference is that the European elections are a rather fragmented exercise, since a great part of the electoral process, including the way in which the right to vote is exercised, remains subject to national rules.

EPRS Policy Podcast - European elections 2024: Rules of a pan-European democratic event

The European Union needs high-performing digital connectivity infrastructure to give all citizens the best access to digital services and to maintain prosperity. As the 2030s approach, the groundwork for the next frontier in mobile communications is being laid – the era of 6G. However, with the promise of unprecedented capabilities comes a host of challenges. Countries and companies that lead in 6G development and deployment are expected to gain a competitive edge in terms of technological innovation, economic growth, and influence in shaping global standards. The global race to 6G has already begun.

EPRS Policy Podcast - The path to 6G

To support its publications, the European Parliamentary Research Service is producing a wide range of informative, timely and varied audio-visual products. These products include content-rich videos and animations, and also regular monthly podcasts, such as policy podcasts and science and technology podcasts. They are based on EPRS' independent, objective and authoritative analysis of, and research on, policy issues relating to the European Union, so empowering Members and committees in their parliamentary work and supporting parliamentary outreach to the wider public.

Restrictions: © The material of this package may not be edited and single videos must be shown in its entirety.

EPRS Multimedia Centre

EPRS Policy roundtable - Ten issues to watch in 2025

EPRS Policy roundtable - Towards a European democracy shield in our digital world: The role of information integrity

EPRS event - How speeches can bring trust in democracy

Batteries are vital to the EU’s clean energy transition, industrial future, and strategic autonomy. While the sector benefits from strong R&D support, it faces challenges such as reliance on third countries, high costs, and competition from regions with lower environmental standards. Sustainable value chains and recycling could help, but uncertainty remains over the EU’s ability to meet future demand. Rising costs, market slowdowns, and gigafactory setbacks, including Northvolt’s collapse, raise concerns. To secure a resilient battery supply chain, the EU focuses on strategic coordination, regulatory frameworks, and funding, offering key lessons for industrial policy.

Battery supply chain

The digital information sphere has become the main space for public debate, shaping opinions and access to information. In the past decade, it has also become a geostrategic battleground, with authoritarian states manipulating public opinion to weaken democracies. At the same time, corporate rivalry over emerging technologies, particularly AI, has intensified. AI-driven disinformation poses growing risks to democratic information ecosystems. Strengthening information integrity is crucial to safeguarding human rights and freedom of expression. Multilateral efforts to enhance resilience align with the EU’s planned European Democracy Shield, building on existing measures and fostering new partnerships.

Information Manipulation and the EU response

EPRS Policy roundtable - EU finances: Is Next Generation EU delivering?

EPRS - Conference on Foresight and Better Law-Making

EPRS Policy roundtable -Ten issues to watch in 2024

EPRS event ' The European Elections and beyond: What to expect after June 2024? '

EPRS Book Talk ' Digital Empires: The global battle to regulate technology '

EPRS Policy roundtable ' Beyond all that applause: How to ensure a sustainable and fair European care sector? '

70 years of Transnational Groups in the European Parliament

EPRS Book Talk ' Europe’s coming of age, wasn’t it meant to be '

EPRS - Strengthening Europe’s Open Strategic Autonomy - the need for a ‘ bold Europe ’

EPRS Policy Roundtable ' Ten issues to watch in 2023: Challenges and choices in times of crises and war '

EPRS Report Presentation : Secularism in the balance - The Freedom of Thought Report 2022

EPRS - CEMR Event ‘'Future shocks: developing a multilevel approach to increase Europe’s resilience'’

Book presentation - Corruption and Money Laundering as Crimes Against democraty

The EU Global Gateway, a €300 billion infrastructure investment strategy launched in December 2021, seeks to build sustainable and secure connections in the digital, energy and transport sectors and boost Europe's competitiveness and supply chain security across the world. What might the strategy look like in future? EPRS presents four possible scenarios for the Global Gateway in 2030, based on survey responses from 30 policy experts: 'optimal gateway', 'failed gateway', 'corporate gateway' and 'public gateway'.

EPRS - Global Gateway 2030: Future of Europe's global infrastructure bid

One of the European Parliament's most important roles, beside legislating and deciding on the EU budget, is to hold the European Commission to account. How does that work? It starts with the election of the European Commission President, followed by the investiture of the entire College of Commissioners. In addition to its role in the appointment of the Commission, one of Parliament's strongest scrutiny tools is a motion of censure.

EPRS - The European Parliament’s role in the appointment of the Commission

Each year, the European Union decides how to allocate billions of euros to key areas like the digital and green transitions, agriculture or regional development. How does this budget get approved? Who checks whether the money is well spent? That’s where the European Parliament steps in! In this video, we explain how this process works in a nutshell. We also take a closer look at the discharge of the European Commission.

EPRS - The European Parliament’s role in the annual EU budget and its discharge

With the COVID-19 pandemic, war returning to Europe and the accompanying energy crisis, and a worsening economic outlook, all on top of a climate crisis, today's young Europeans are growing up in a volatile and difficult world. Concerns about economic prosperity, increasing competition for jobs, rising inflation and property prices make it difficult for young people to get ahead in life, to afford housing, to attain economic stability and to achieve a sense of satisfaction in society. Furthermore, underpinning many of these changes is digitalisation, which is also changing the way we socialise, work and live, with emerging consequences for mental health. Dive deeper:

Mental health among young European

Health is essential for a fulfilling life—and a strong health sector is vital for both our well-being and our economy. In the EU, the health sector contributes 11% of GDP and provides one in ten jobs. But did you know that Europe is falling behind in health innovation compared to global competitors? Investing in EU-wide health innovation could unlock ground-breaking treatments, boost our competitiveness, and create new economic opportunities. By pooling resources and sharing risks, we can achieve more together—transforming lives while fostering growth. Discover more in our EPRS study on the Cost of Non-Europe in Health Policy

Unlocking health innovation

In the EU, 1.8 million people under 75 died in 2021. 72 % of these deaths could have been avoided: 3 in 10 with timely, effective medical treatment; 7 in 10 with better preventive measures. In that same year, the leading causes of avoidable deaths were COVID-19, ischaemic heart diseases and lung cancer. These three diseases mostly affected men. The death rate from avoidable diseases also varies widely across the EU. Learn more about how the EU can turn the tide on preventable losses and create a healthier EU for everyone

Turning the tide on avoidable deaths in the EU

With the Russian war on Ukraine, the European Union has been facing unprecedented security challenges, showing that the path to a secure Europe is complex and evolving. While some initiatives, such as ASAP and EDIRPA, address immediate needs, the European Union must also focus on sustainable, long-term strategies to build its defence autonomy and resilience. This is where the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) step in.

EPRS - Building a common EU defence industry

&lt;p>Misleading information can throw any of us off course. Both misinformation – mistakes without ill intent – and disinformation – created and spread with the aim of fooling people – can make it hard to take informed decisions. Fast evolving technologies – including deepfake video and audio – make it too easy to produce and spread deceptive content very rapidly. Many of us worry about the effect: some 85 % of people worldwide are concerned about the impact of disinformation on their fellow citizens; 87 % think disinformation has already affected political life in their country (Unesco/Ipsos 2023); and 38 % of EU citizens list false and/or misleading information as a threat to democracy (Eurobarometer 2023). These tips will help you steer around falsehoods.&lt;/p>

EPRS - Fact-checking compass: how to spot information manipulation

How does Europe affect our everyday lives? How does it impact on our jobs, our families, our health care, our journeys and our consumer choices? And how is Europe present in our towns, cities and regions? As European citizens, no matter where we live, how we make our living, or how we spend our time, the EU has an impact on our daily lives. The website 'What Europe does for me' presents a wide range of short, easy-to-read texts drawn up by the European Parliamentary Research Service, focusing on what the European Union does and the impact it has on us all. It explores EU actions from the individual’s point of view, with many examples of projects and support.

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting women in the workplace - English (subtitles)

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting people with disabilities - English (subtitles)

&lt;p>Global challenges – including climate change, geopolitical conflict, erosion of democratic principles and social inequalities – affect people's daily lives and future prospects.A collective European response over the next 10 years could help to address these challenges – and offer benefits worth up to €3 trillion a year. This represents around 18 % of EU gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to €6 700 per citizen per year. Referring to the European Parliament's work during the 2019-2024 term, our research has identified action in 10 policy areas that could unleash Europe's potential – without the need for Treaty change.&lt;/p>

EPRS - Mapping the cost of non-Europe: Ten ways that Europe could do more for you - English (subtitles)

Clean air, research and innovation, space technologies, these are examples of European public goods. The European Union already provides many of them. But can we do even more? A common European approach could offer added value by boosting the provision of public goods such as health, environment, social cohesion and defence. Our study ‘Ten ways that Europe could do more for you - Mapping the cost of non-Europe’ shows that more common EU action in specific areas could reduce costs and bring added value for society.

EPRS - Mapping the cost of non-Europe: Europe could better ensure public goods for all

Equal treatment is a fundamental value of the European Union and all EU citizens should enjoy the same EU rights. However, we could do more to protect citizens' rights and generate benefits for society. The European Parliament called for more EU action to better protect our fundamental rights. One of the most promising ways would be tackling gender inequality in the labour market. Our study ‘Ten ways that Europe could do more for you - Mapping the cost of non-Europe’ assesses the potential benefits of more EU action through key policy proposals. These benefits reflect economic gains, as well as gains in terms of social and fundamental rights, and also protection of the environment.

EPRS - Mapping the cost of non-Europe: Europe could uphold citizens’ rights and equality

What if greater unity in the European Union could help us save a lot of money? EU countries could join forces to tackle common issues in key sectors such as energy, healthcare and defence. By buying together, they could have greater buying power and get better prices Our study ‘Ten ways that Europe could do more for you - Mapping the cost of non-Europe’ investigates the costs of not setting an ambitious policy agenda at EU level – the 'cost of non-Europe'. The costs include not only economic costs, but also costs to society, European values and the environment. More coordinated and common EU action in specific areas could reduce these costs and bring added value for society.

EPRS - Mapping the cost of non-Europe: Europe could offer more buying power

The single market is one of the most successful achievements of European integration. But it has not unleashed its full potential. With more EU actions, we could tackle the remaining unnecessary barriers in the single market and boost intra-EU trade in goods and services. A stronger single market could also greatly help business competitiveness and bring greater product choice and higher quality, lower prices and improve consumer protection. While European integration has made substantial progress, many opportunities remain for the EU to improve citizens' daily lives. Our study ‘Ten ways that Europe could do more for you - Mapping the cost of non-Europe’ highlights these opportunities and supports the European Parliament in setting the policy agenda.

EPRS - Mapping the cost of non-Europe: Europe could strengthen the single market

Geothermal energy is heat generated within the Earth's crust. It is used mainly for electricity generation, district heating and industrial processes. Several geothermal technologies exist, at different levels of maturity. Electricity generation uses the heat stored underground, converting it to electrical power. But geothermal represented 0.5 % of the global renewable electricity market in 2022, generating only 0.2 % of electricity in the EU. Geothermal energy is a sustainable and reliable source that produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions while providing constant baseload energy generation. And the EU's commitment to the geothermal sector is deeply rooted in the European Green Deal.

EPRS - Geothermal energy in the EU

This event takes stock of the origins, evolution, and current experiences of the transnational groups in the European Parliament, 70 years after their creation. Following a historical analysis by Professor Jürgen Mittag, three eminent former group chairs - Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP), Hannes Swoboda (S&D), and Gijs de Vries (ELDR) - will talk about their experiences of leading a transnational group in the EP, thus exploring the past, present and future of transnational politics in Europe.

EPRS history and politics roundtable: 70 years of Transnational Groups in the European Parliament

There has been a long-term interest in Europe in radicalisation as an explanation of why individuals embrace extremist views and commit violent acts. We have witnessed substantial efforts by the EU to investigate the problem and find ways to prevent and counter it. This growing interest dates back to the aftermath of the 2004 Madrid terrorist attacks and 2005 London attacks. These incidents brought public attention to home-grown terrorism, as opposed to terrorism as a threat coming from outside the EU. They raised questions as to the processes that may have led to them. Is radicalisation a linear process? And even if it is, is it the same for each radicalised offender? Why do certain individuals radicalise while others, in similar situations and contexts, do not? There are no simple answers to these questions and the debate is ongoing. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

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