Stepping Up Our Engagement Against Disinformation

The digital transformation has affected all aspects of our society, from mobility to healthcare to energy distribution. As we have now changed our way of communicating, informing and, sometimes voting, we see the added value that new technological solutions can bring to democratic processes. Thanks to new technologies, more citizens are aware of recent initiatives undertaken by the institutions are in the position to consciously express their preference and contribute to the democratic life. At the same time, new technologies bring increased vulnerabilities. Such vulnerabilities can be exploited by external actors to interfere with the integrity of democratic processes and destabilise democratic governments through disinformation.

Against this background, the European Commission is committed to making sure that all elections remain secure and protected from this type of threat. This is why, last September, we issued a package of measures aimed at securing the next European elections, which will take place on 23–26 May. The principle affirmed through our action is that we will all be more resilient to cyber-enabled threats only if we recognise and prepare for them, in particular by sharing information between relevant parties such as national competent authorities for cybersecurity, data protection, audiovisual services and electoral committees.

However, the improved cyber-resilience of our democratic process will not be enough if we do not make sure that the information reaching citizens is truthful and credible. Hence, last April the Commission launched a strategy for fighting disinformation which aims at guaranteeing better information without disturbing freedom of expression and media freedom, the two fundamental rights which are the foundation of an inclusive and pluralistic public debate. We paid particular attention to involve as many stakeholders as possible in our analysis before deciding which strategy would be the most efficient.

In September, online platforms and the advertising industry agreed on a self-regulatory Code of Practice on Disinformation. The Code includes several commitments that will increase transparency concerning political advertising while contributing to the empowerment of consumers and research community.

A second initiative is the creation of an independent European network of fact-checkers. Their work contributes to making the media landscape more robust. Cooperation between fact-checkers, online platforms and the advertising industry should provide citizens with easier access to more reliable information and, at the same time, make life more difficult for those who want to make money through the spread of disinformation.

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