The European Commission suggested measures to tackle disinformation published online, wrote the SITA press agency on Sunday. They include a whole European codex of handling disinformation, support for an independent network of confirmers of information as well as a system of steps to stimulate high quality journalism and extend media literacy. "The recent revelations about Facebook and Cambridge Analytica clearly showed the risk of misuse of personal data in elections. They have reminded us at the right time that we need to strive more in order to secure the strength of democratic processes," reads the press release.
As SITA also wrote, representatives of the commission agree that fake online news is today used as a weapon which represents a serious security threat for society. New technologies, especially digital ones have widened their reach on the online environment and also widened their ability to weaken our democracy and society.
The SITA press agency also cites a new survey by Eurobarometer which reveals that 83% of respondents believe that fake news represents a threat for democracy. They were mostly concerned by intentional disinformation, aimed at influencing elections and immigration policy. In the research, the importance of high quality media was highlighted. The respondents consider traditional media to be the most trustworthy sources of information (70% for radio, 66% for television and 63% for printed media). Internet sources of information (26%) are the least trusted according to the research.
Ingrid Ludviková of the European Commission Representation in Slovakia said that the Commission should summon a multilateral forum soon with the aim of providing a framework for effective cooperation between relevant stakeholders. They include online platforms, the advertising sector and large advertisers, and should coordinate and step up efforts to combat disinformation.
The first outcome of the forum should be a Union-wide codex for handling disinformation, which should by published by June 2018 with the aim of reaching a measurable influence by October 2018. By December 2018, the Commission will publish a report on improvement. It should also look into the necessity of further measures for the continuous monitoring and evaluation of these measures.
