June 15, 2020

On 10 June 2020, the EU Commission and the High Representative published a Joint Communication on tackling Coronavirus disinformation. The Joint Communication analyses the immediate response and proposes concrete action that can be quickly set in motion.

The Commission says that the crisis has become a “test case showing how the EU and its democratic societies deal with the disinformation challenge”.

The Communication notes that it is important to distinguish between illegal content and content that is harmful, but not illegal. There are also blurred boundaries between the various forms of false or misleading content: from disinformation, which is defined as intentional, to misinformation, which can be unintentional. The motivation can range from targeted influence operations by foreign actors to purely economic motives. A calibrated response is needed to each of these challenges. Further, there is a need to provide more data for public scrutiny and improve analytical capacities.

In addition, communication is crucial. The Commission says that during the crisis the EU has been stepping up its work to inform citizens about the risks and to enhance cooperation with other international actors to tackle disinformation.

Co-operation has also been an important cornerstone of the fight against disinformation: with the European Parliament and the Council and between EU institutions and Member States, and with international partners (including the WHO, the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, NATO and others. This led to an increased sharing of information, activities and best practices. The Commission says that it should be intensified to better address foreign influence and disinformation. The EU will also step up support and assistance to civil society actors, independent media and journalists in third countries, and enhance support for monitoring violations of press freedom and advocating a safer media environment. The Commission will also continue to co-operate with online platforms to fight infringements of consumer protection law that have resulted in consumers being misled to buy overpriced, ineffective or potentially dangerous products.

There is a need for additional efforts, increased transparency and greater accountability by online platforms. Platforms should provide monthly reports that include more detailed data on their actions to promote authoritative content, improve users’ awareness, and limit coronavirus disinformation and advertising related to it. They should also step up their co-operation with fact-checkers in all Members States and in all languages and with researchers. They should be more transparent about the implementation of their policies to inform users who interact with disinformation. The Commission strongly encourages other relevant stakeholders who are not yet signatories to the Code of Practice on Disinformation to participate in this new monitoring programme.

The Commission also says that ensuring freedom of expression and pluralistic democratic debate is central to the disinformation response. The Commission will continue monitoring the impact of emergency measures taken by Member States in the coronavirus context, on EU law and values. The crisis demonstrated the role of a free and independent media as an essential service, providing citizens with reliable, fact-checked information, contributing to saving lives. The EU will strengthen its support to independent media and journalists in the EU and around the world. To read the Commission’s press release in full and for a link to the Joint Communication, click here.