Between mistrust, interference and digital manipulation, the European Union is trying to resist. Disinformation is today more than just a simple phenomenon online: it constitutes a serious threat to the democratic health of the European Union (EU). Indeed, according to the latest EU report, 79% of Europeans fear that disinformation influences the vote, and 70% fear foreign interference in polls.
Widespread distrust of institutions
Disinformation weakens citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and the media. In several Member States, more than half of people report being « often » or « very often » exposed to false information, a sign of a worrying omnipresence of the phenomenon. This climate of doubt weakens the link between the governed and the representative bodies that are the foundation of any democracy.
Electoral manipulation and foreign interference
The EU regularly provides alerts with regard to organized disinformation campaigns, internal or external, aimed at « undermining the integrity of electoral processes ». The increasing use of sophisticated technologies such as: deepfakes, fake sites imitating serious media, bots or automated accounts makes manipulations more invisible and more dangerous.
Mobilization and resilience: the EU’s weapons
In response, the EU has strengthened its tools: the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation, supported by digital platforms, promotes online transparency and accountability. At the same time, media education initiatives are developing, such as the work of the European Digital
Media Observatory (EDMO) to raise citizens’ awareness and develop critical thinking. Disinformation is clearly not about to go away, and the EU knows it. To protect public debate, the challenge will be to combine regulation, education and digital responsibility, so that reliable information remains accessible to all.
Luisa Bernon