Following the post-Cold War reset, EU-Russia relations have been strained, not least by Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, to which the EU responded with hard-hitting sanctions. Putin’s support for rebel groups in eastern Ukraine, his policies in the neighbourhood, disinformation campaigns and Russia’s intervention in Syria just added fuel to the fire... And yet, the two remain closely interdependent… So, how to deal with Putin’s Russia?

EPRS policy podcast - The EU and Russia: Locked into confrontation

The problem of disinformation is globally recognised as disruptive to the normal functioning of democratic societies, economies and political systems. In recent years, ‘fake news’ and coordinated disinformation campaigns have an instrument of geopolitical influence.

They have afflicted elections in both established and new democracies, and undermined social and political solidarity in response to global challenges. It is with these and other instances in mind that the European Union (EU) identified ‘the exposure of citizens to large scale disinformation’ as ‘a major challenge for Europe’ in 2018, undertaking an increasingly ambitious programme of action to counter this evolving threat since. The outbreak of the coronavirus has led to disinformation that hampers efforts to contain the pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said false claims “are spreading faster than the virus” and has already termed it an “infodemic of planetary proportions”. The Russian aggression against Ukraine is also a source of many disinformation.&nbsp;

Special Committee for foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU, including disinformation (INGE) was created in the European Parliament to tackle these challenges

Fight against disinformation

Disinformation campaigns are a threat to the proper functioning of democracies. The Parliament is committed to ensuring people are able to access reliable information.

Elements of disinformation and propaganda are that such information (i) is designed to be wholly or partly false, manipulated or misleading, or uses unethical persuasion techniques; (ii) regards an issue of public interest; (iii) has the intention to generate insecurity, hostility or polarisation, or attempts to disrupt democratic processes; (iv) and is disseminated and/or amplified through automated and aggressive techniques, such as social bots, artificial intelligence (AI), micro-targeting or paid human 'trolls’, often used to boost public visibility.

Fight against disinformation (2019-2020)

MEP Sandro Ruotolo holds a press conference following the committee vote  of the Committee on Culture and Education on a report on the “impact of social media and online environment on young people”.

Press conference on the impact of social media and the internet on young people

MEPs discuss the need to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA) to safeguard democracy from foreign interference and algorithmic manipulation. 
The debate with Council and Commission representatives will focus on the compliance of major social media companies with the DSA, which sets clear obligations for digital service providers to tackle the spread of illegal content, online disinformation, and other societal risks. 
MEPs are expected to express concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability of platforms’ recommender systems and their failure to tackle risks, like disinformation and foreign interference. This follows a plenary debate on 17 December 2024, which addressed the issue of online disinformation in European elections. During that discussion, many MEPs urged the Commission to actively enforce the DSA and impose sanctions on platforms that violate EU rules.  
MEPs are also likely to bring up the future of the transatlantic partnership on technology, particularly in the context of the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump on 20 January, Elon Musk’s involvement in the US government and Meta’s recent decision to end its fact-checking programme. 
Background 
While the DSA does not regulate personal views or opinions, it introduces measures to tackle illegal content - such as terrorist material and child sexual abuse - in full compliance with the principles of freedom of expression and information. The legislation ensures users have a right to challenge unlawful or arbitrary content moderation decisions by online platforms. At the same time, online platforms are required to be more transparent about their operations, including about their “recommender systems”.

Debate on the need to enforce DSA to protect democracy

MEPs and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas debate Russia’s manipulation of history and use of false narratives to justify its war in Ukraine.

The debate is likely to focus on Russian historical disinformation narratives to discredit and undermine international support for Ukraine, efforts which are intended to hurt Ukrainian independence and sovereignty.

Debate on Russian disinformation on Ukraine

MEPs discuss misinformation and disinformation circulating on social media, and the dangers they pose to free and fair elections in Europe.

Debate on disinformation on social media

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee meets with TikTok representatives to discuss the platform's adherence to the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), particularly in the context of recent European elections. Caroline Greer, TikTok’s Director of Public Policy, and Brie Pegum, Global Head of Product, Authenticity and Transparency, will address questions on how the company ensures a safe and transparent online space during election periods.

MEPs focus on TikTok's risk management strategies to combat disinformation, manage recommender systems, and provide third-party data access, especially concerning Romania's ongoing elections. The DSA, in full effect since February 2024, requires platforms to tackle illegal content and societal risks proactively. This exchange reflects Parliament's commitment to ensuring compliance with EU rules and safeguarding democratic processes.

IMCO Debate on the compliance of TikTok with the EU Digital Services Act

IMCO Committee -  BRETON on Russia

IMCO Committee -  Ensuring effective approaches to fighting propaganda on online platforms and the role of the DSA in the light of the Russian aggression

EP Plenary session - Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Disinformation and the role of social platforms

Public opening of the exhibition #FakeForReal in the House of European History- KAK performance

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Tackling Covid-19 disinformation and the impact on freedom of expression

Rapporteur Sandro RUOTOLO (S&D, IT) holds a press conference following the committee vote of the Committee on Culture and Education on a report on the “impact of social media and online environment on young people”. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Sandro RUOTOLO (S&D, IT), rapporteur on the Impact of social media and online environment on young people

Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, closes the debate on the communication on the Democracy Shield. The new rules seek to increase transparency and public trust in policy and decision-making without being unduly burdensome or restricting legitimate civic engagement. The draft directive addresses the increasingly cross-border nature of lobbying and potential foreign influence in European democratic processes. The strategy is supposed to boost the EU’s collective capacity to counter information manipulation and disinformation, and strengthen its resilience by involving the whole society. Closing statements by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection.

Communication on the Democracy Shield: closing statements by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

MEPs debate on the communication on the Democracy Shield. The new rules seek to increase transparency and public trust in policy and decision-making without being unduly burdensome or restricting legitimate civic engagement. The draft directive addresses the increasingly cross-border nature of lobbying and potential foreign influence in European democratic processes. The strategy is supposed to boost the EU’s collective capacity to counter information manipulation and disinformation, and strengthen its resilience by involving the whole society. MEPs debate.

Communication on the Democracy Shield: MEPs debate

Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, opens the debate on the communication on the Democracy Shield. The new rules seek to increase transparency and public trust in policy and decision-making without being unduly burdensome or restricting legitimate civic engagement. The draft directive addresses the increasingly cross-border nature of lobbying and potential foreign influence in European democratic processes. The strategy is supposed to boost the EU’s collective capacity to counter information manipulation and disinformation, and strengthen its resilience by involving the whole society. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Communication on the Democracy Shield: Opening statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, gives her first State of the European Union address during a debate in the European Parliament since being re-elected. In her speech, Ursula von der LEYEN outlines the impact of the Commission’s work since it started its new mandate, and plans for the future. In this particular part of her speech, she speaks about the EU relations with the United States, research with "Choose Europe" package; and health with the Global Health Resilience Initiative. Ursula von der LEYEN also announces the set up a new European Centre for Democratic Resilience to fight against information manipulation and disinformation. So we will launch a new Media Resilience Programme to support independent journalism and media literacy, and speaks about the anxiety of parents who are doing their best to keep their children safe. In that framework, she suggests several ideas to protect children against powerful algorithms on social media.

State of the European Union - #SOTEU2025: statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission (part 7 - Global partnerships and Trade - Democracy and Democracy and Rule of Law)

MEPs debate on the fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms, in plenary in Strasbourg.

The fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms: MEPs debate

Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, gives an opening statement during the debate on the fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms: opening statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

This infoclip illustrates the growing importance of combating disinformation, featuring scenes of individuals scrutinizing online content, the use of professional fact-checking platforms, a conference held at the European Parliament, co-organized by EDMO (European Digital Media Observatory) and EFCSN (European Fact-Checking Standards Network), underscoring the collaborative European effort to promote trustworthy information and media literacy, and journalists engaging in the verification process.

fight against hate speech, populism, and fake news on social media (T)

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