A majority of MEPs in a debate on Tuesday 8 March called for more EU action to combat disinformation and foreign interference.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, several MEPs recalled the importance of disinformation in this war, adding that disinformation was already rife during the Brexit campaign and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The anti-European narrative is everywhere in the disinformation. It is time for us to act, we must be proactive”, stressed Javier Zarzalejos (Spain) for the EPP. Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel (Greens/EFA, Germany) said that disinformation should be countered with information. Márton Gyöngyösi (NI, Hungary) proposed the creation of a European broadcasting service, financed by the European budget.
For The Left, Clare Daly from Ireland recalled that “it is important to listen to people who have different views, otherwise it is too easy to dismiss all different views as disinformation”.
In the light of these threats, MEPs are expected to call on the EU, in a report by Sandra Kalniete (EPP, Latvia) to be put to the vote on Wednesday, to take additional measures against foreign interference “including the introduction of a sanctions regime”.
During the debate, High Representative of the Union Josep Borrell announced that he would propose a “new mechanism that will allow us to sanction malicious actors of disinformation”. This mechanism will be part of a broader toolbox to strengthen the EU’s capacity to act. It will focus on building the resilience of the EU and partner countries by increasing support for independent media and civil society in third countries and strengthening the strategic communication capacities of EU delegations.
The High Representative also wants to disrupt malicious activity and provide regulatory responses. He also called for a continued diplomatic response and instruments under the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
MEPs should also call on the Commission to propose a “coordinated multi-level and cross-sectoral” strategy and adequate financial resources for the EU to deal with hybrid threats and attacks orchestrated by foreign actors (see EUROPE 12879/14).
MEPs should also advocate for a better response framework to counter foreign interference in electoral processes.
During the debate, Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová recalled that she had proposed an action plan for European democracy, updating the Code of Practice on Disinformation and legislation on the financing of political parties (see EUROPE 12840/4) and on the transparency of online political advertising (see EUROPE 12840/5).
In addition, MEPs will vote on Wednesday evening on setting up a new special committee on foreign interference in all EU democratic processes.
See the report: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2022-0022_EN.html (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)