The European Commission is putting its finishing touches to a strategy for tackling misinformation, which will be presented at the end of April. According to a draft text distributed by the US media, it does not have any intention of proposing regulatory measures (see EUROPE 11993).
The strategy will be based around a communication. It identifies a range of practical action in the short term to shape online eco-systems that would, by default, respect information. To achieve this end, it has identified the following key principles: improving transparency, promoting the diversity of information, enhancing the credibility of information and shaping inclusive solutions.
The document indicates that “This communication is a first step towards a common European level approach… there is no easy solution. At the same time, inaction is not an option”. The communication is mainly based on self-regulation by the platforms.
Self-regulation of platforms
The Commission acknowledges that the majority of fake news is disseminated via social networks (it indicates that this constitutes a factor of 1 to 1,000 according to a study by the MIT in this regard). In this context it is suggesting that a multi-party forum is set up to drafting a code of good practices. The idea would be to encourage the platforms to include default provisions against misinformation as soon as they introduce a new tool. It is also suggesting that product placing in advertising is subject to improved control and that a certain transparency is ensured with regard to data processing and sponsored content (information about the identity of the sponsor should be more visible), efforts should be stepped up to close bogus accounts and there should be greater empowerment of citizens by way of trust indicators for content sources, etc. The Commission is hoping that the code of good conduct will produce its first concrete effects by the end of the year and has provided assurances that it will take regulatory action if it considers it necessary.
Other measures planned
The Commission is also proposing to create an independent news verification network to facilitate cooperation or a European online platform on misinformation, in an effort to support civil society actors. It would also like to enhance media education and assess the feasibility of a “voluntary self-identification system and electronic identification for closing down bogus accounts”.
The draft communication is also examining the question of support for quality journalism. The Commission could also possibly publish guidelines for the member states on state aid to the media sector, in an effort to increase legal certainty and greater predictability on the basis of the European Court of Justice's case law. The objective would be to clarify the conditions under which the member states can provide public support for specific activities, such as training journalists, product and services innovation and alternative business models that are not based on advertising. The document is also encouraging the EU28 to “examine the horizontal aid systems” in an effort to tackle market failures threatening the sustainability of quality journalism.
With regard to misinformation in politics, the Commission is suggesting that a “strategic communication capability” is created that will contain an action plan identifying human and financial resources, as well as an information and cooperation mechanism between the member states.
Definition
The draft text defines misinformation as, “information that turns out to be false or misleading and which is created, presented and distributed for profit or to intentionally mislead the public or which, in all cases, causes damage to the public”. This definition excludes reporting errors, satire and parody, as well as politically partisan news and commentary.
The communication is expected to be presented around 25 April. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)