The recent World Forum gathering in Berlin highlighted growing tensions between globalist aspirations and free speech principles, as international leaders converged to address what they view as rising threats from populism and unrestricted expression. The event’s theme, “A New World Order With European Values,” sparked concern among civil liberties advocates.
The forum, which annually brings together influential figures from government, business, media, and academia, demonstrated a clear shift towards embracing European-style governance and speech regulations over American constitutional protections. This movement comes amid increasing speech restrictions across Europe, including criminal prosecutions for what authorities deem “toxic ideologies.”
Bill and Hillary Clinton featured prominently at the event, with the former president receiving recognition as “leader of the century.” The gathering repeatedly emphasized opposition to Trump and what speakers characterized as “autocrats” and “oligarchs,” while celebrating billionaire influencers like Bill Gates and George Soros for their support of “open societies.”
The forum’s discussions centered on controlling what participants labeled as “disinformation” and curtailing the rise of right-wing political movements. Critics note the ironic nature of these goals, as the European Union itself operates through an elite bureaucratic structure that some view as oligarchic in nature.
Recent developments have challenged this push for increased speech control. Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and subsequent restoration of free speech protections, followed by Mark Zuckerberg’s similar moves at Meta, have created resistance to the European regulatory model. Additionally, Irish voters recently rejected proposals to expand speech criminalization regarding “xenophobia” and related content.
However, influential figures like Hillary Clinton have actively promoted European-style speech restrictions. Following Musk’s Twitter purchase, she urged the European Union to employ its Digital Services Act to force compliance with censorship measures, even suggesting legal action against those spreading what she considers
disinformation.
The EU’s response to Musk exemplifies this approach, threatening severe financial penalties and potential arrest unless he implemented their preferred content moderation policies. When Musk announced plans to interview Trump, EU regulators issued warnings about monitoring for disinformation.
The forum revealed the fundamental connection between transnational governance and speech restrictions. Maintaining authority across diverse populations requires controlling information flow through media and social platforms, explaining Europe’s expanding speech regulations and prosecutions.
Professor Jonathan Turley, one of few speakers advocating for stronger free speech protections, noted the forum’s carefully coded language. Terms like “content moderation” replace “censorship,” while
restrictions target “false,” “hateful,” or “inciteful” speech rather than openly acknowledging limitations on expression.
The push for this new world order faces significant challenges from those who see it as a threat to democratic principles and individual liberties. Vice President JD Vance recently confronted European allies in Munich, directly challenging their censorship practices and calling for free speech restoration.
As populist movements, anti-immigration sentiment, and criticism of European governance grow, the tension between transnational authority and free expression intensifies. The current European approach achieves apparent consensus through regulated silence, raising questions about whether a “New World Order Based on European Values” truly serves democratic interests or instead represents a shift toward more controlled and restricted public discourse.