How the EU fights disinformation

Disinformation is false information spread intentionally to deceive. The word itself has its roots in deception.

It was borrowed from the Russian dezinformatsiya, named after a KGB black propaganda department. This department specialised in creating propaganda that seemed like it was made by the target, so as to undermine their credibility. It was intentionally given a Latin sounding same, so as its roots would be traced back West.

Fighting disinformation is not easy. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as just telling the truth – often the goal of disinformation is to create an unstable or confused communication environment. Recent studies have shown that just calling out lies is not enough. Sometimes rebuttals can even make things worse – doing it incorrectly can remind and reinforce previous lies.

That said, there is hope. Effective responses to disinformation can take on many forms. In communication, they can range from “reactive” (correcting falsities using cognitive aids like emotions or established trust) to “active” (strengthening the communications environment overall or educating and awareness raising so people can better protect themselves). This can all be backed up by efforts from private companies and NGOs.

Overall, the EU has laid down four pillars of fighting disinformation:

• Improving capabilities for the union to detect/analyse/expose
• Strengthening cooperative responses by institutions and countries
• Mobilising the private sector
• Raising awareness

In this blog post I will look at some of the ways that the EU fights disinformation. A complex problem needs a complex solution and the EU tries to address that by treating it as several different questions – a question of communications, a question of policy, a question of security and a question of foreign policy.

1. Communication

By treating the problem as a communication issue, the EU seeks to fight back in several ways. Sometimes it uses more lighthearted rebuttals, like humour. Other times we must be more serious to tackle more difficult topics, like migration. The common thing is that our answers are emotional and seek to connect with people through stories, images and plain language.

Coordinated by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communication, the efforts are driven by the subject matter expertise and networks of other Directorates-General (specialising in trade, economy, social affairs, etc.), as well as the country knowledge and linguistic skills of the Commission’s Representations in Member States.

At the same time, the Commission overall try to strengthen the communications environment by encouraging discussion and cooperating with member countries to educate the public on the threat of disinformation – this is a battle that cannot be won from Brussels alone. 

2. Policy

By treating the problem as a policy issue, the EU seeks to engage the private sector, such as social media and online platforms where disinformation is spread, and civil society in battling disinformation. 

These efforts are driven by the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT). They range from encouraging platforms to self-regulate (highlighting political advertising, applying their own policies, removing bots, etc.), to funding networks and individuals dedicated to studying and finding solutions, quality fact checking and new technologies.

Then there are steps within specific areas, such as in elections. By improving protections (in data, political advertising, cybersecurity, etc.), we can lessen the impact of manipulation. They also have tools used to cut off disinformation at the root, like the Rapid Alert System that helps us ahead of the issues and coordinate between institutions and countries. Along with other steps, like promoting media literacy and supporting independent journalism, we reinforce the public space against attacks and lies.

3. Security

Given that disinformation is an intentional effort to undermine our democracy and stability, it makes sense to look at it in terms of a hybrid threat – that is, threats in non-conventional forms, like radicalisation leading to terrorist attacks, chemical attacks, cyber-attacks or disinformation campaigns.

The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) lead these efforts, because of their wide area of responsibility – from the risks that come with new technologies to market availability of products that are a security risk.

Their overview of industries and role in regulation allows them to understand the broader implications of disinformation attacks and our response to them.

4. Foreign policy

The European External Action Service is the diplomatic, foreign policy and defence ministry of the EU. They have set up a task force called East StratCom, which leads the efforts in fighting disinformation about the EU in neighbouring countries to the east (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) and beyond.

Their work primarily focuses on communicating beyond the EU’s borders by sharing policies and messages. However, it also touches on strengthening the communications environment overall and producing products in multiple languages analysing the patterns in disinformation on their website.

Conclusion

Disinformation is used by authoritarians and malevolent forces around the world to undermine dissent, divide people and even erode our democratic institutions. Fighting disinformation has no simple solution. It should be less thought of as a whack-a-mole and more as a delicate ecosystem – with a balance between communication, policy and security that keeps everyone safe, free and informed.