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)

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

MEPs debate on lobal measures towards social media platforms - Strengthening the role of DSA and protecting the democracy and freedom in the online sphere. MEPs are discussing global social media platform regulations, focusing on the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and its role in protecting democracy and online freedom. The DSA, in effect since February 2024, applies to all platforms, and MEPs question the Commission on its enforcement measures, including ongoing investigations into potential violations by TikTok, Meta, X, and AliExpress. There may also be calls for stricter scrutiny of Telegram following recent developments. Since the DSA's adoption, countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and the US are considering similar laws to hold platforms accountable for user safety.

Global measures towards social media platforms - Strengthening the role of DSA and protecting the democracy and freedom in the online sphere: MEPs debate (part 2)

Global measures towards social media platforms - Strengthening the role of DSA and protecting the democracy and freedom in the online sphere: MEPs debate (1)

Closing statement by Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition, on lobal measures towards social media platforms - Strengthening the role of DSA and protecting the democracy and freedom in the online sphere. MEPs are discussing global social media platform regulations, focusing on the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and its role in protecting democracy and online freedom. The DSA, in effect since February 2024, applies to all platforms, and MEPs question the Commission on its enforcement measures, including ongoing investigations into potential violations by TikTok, Meta, X, and AliExpress. There may also be calls for stricter scrutiny of Telegram following recent developments. Since the DSA's adoption, countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and the US are considering similar laws to hold platforms accountable for user safety.

Global measures Strengthening the role of DSA and protecting the democracy and freedom in the online sphere: Closing statement by Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age

This film illustrates the written press, with newspaper production and citizens reading the written press in their daily lives. Journalists are shown exercising their profession in the world of broadcasting, radio, interviews, TV set or stand-up on camera.

Infoclip : Journalists and media professionals

Misleading information can throw any of us off course. Both misinformation – mistakes without ill intent – and disinformation – created and spread with the aim of fooling people – can make it hard to take informed decisions. Fast evolving technologies – including deepfake video and audio – make it too easy to produce and spread deceptive content very rapidly. Many of us worry about the effect: some 85 % of people worldwide are concerned about the impact of disinformation on their fellow citizens; 87 % think disinformation has already affected political life in their country (Unesco/Ipsos 2023); and 38 % of EU citizens list false and/or misleading information as a threat to democracy (Eurobarometer 2023). These tips will help you steer around falsehoods.

EPRS - Fact-checking compass: how to spot information manipulation

6th topic of the Eurovision Debate 2024 between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency: Nicolas SCHMIT, Party European Socialists, Sandro GOZI, Renew Europe Now, Terry REINTKE, European Greens, Ursula von der LEYEN, European People's Party and Walter BAIER, European Left. Important themes that will be put on the table are Artificial Intelligence, digital challenges, but also disinformation that the EU has to face. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Eurovision Debate 2024 (Clean feed) - Topic 6: Innovation and Technology

MEPs debate the new allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, including in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union.

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Council and Commission statements - New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament: Closing statements

MEPs debate the new allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, including in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union. Opening statement by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament: Opening statement by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency

MEPs debate the new allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, including in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Council and Commission statements - New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament: MEPs debate

New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament: extracts from the debate

MEPs vote on the following topics: Luena (A9-0220/2023) - Nature restoration; Gozi (A9-0009/2023) - Transparency and targeting of political advertising; Ripa (ENVI 14/02) - Detergents and surfactants, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004; Borchia (A9-0378/2023) - Amending Decision (EU) 2017/1324 as regards the continuation of the Union’s participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) under Horizon Europe; Manders (A9-0087/2023) - Protection of the environment through criminal law; and Van Overveldt (A9-0412/2023) - Report on the European Central Bank – annual report 2023.

Voting session: Nature restoration

The new rules enhance the integrity of election campaigns and help fight disinformation and foreign interference. The regulation requires political advertising to be clearly labelled, allowing citizens to see why they were targeted, who sponsored the ad, how much they paid and to which elections or referendum it pertains. Sponsoring ads from outside the EU is prohibited in the three-month period leading up to elections. All online political ads are available in an online ad repository. Under the new rules, separate and explicit consent must be obtained to use personal data for targeted ads, while the use of special categories of personal data (e.g. ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation) or minors’ data are banned. Closing statements by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency and Sandro GOZI, Rapporteur.

Transparency and targeting of political advertising: Closing statements by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency and Sandro GOZI, Rapporteur

The new rules enhance the integrity of election campaigns and help fight disinformation and foreign interference. The regulation requires political advertising to be clearly labelled, allowing citizens to see why they were targeted, who sponsored the ad, how much they paid and to which elections or referendum it pertains. Sponsoring ads from outside the EU is prohibited in the three-month period leading up to elections. All online political ads are available in an online ad repository. Under the new rules, separate and explicit consent must be obtained to use personal data for targeted ads, while the use of special categories of personal data (e.g. ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation) or minors’ data are banned. MEPs debate.

Transparency and targeting of political advertising: MEPs debate

The new rules enhance the integrity of election campaigns and help fight disinformation and foreign interference. The regulation requires political advertising to be clearly labelled, allowing citizens to see why they were targeted, who sponsored the ad, how much they paid and to which elections or referendum it pertains. Sponsoring ads from outside the EU is prohibited in the three-month period leading up to elections. All online political ads are available in an online ad repository. Opening statements by Sandro GOZI (Renew, IT), Rapporteur and Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency, Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), Anna Júlia DONÁTH (Renew, HU), Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Transparency and targeting of political advertising: Opening statements by Sandro GOZI, Rapporteur, Věra JOUROVÁ, VP of the EC, Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Anna Júlia DONÁTH (Renew, HU), Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

The recent media revelations, which outlined how a European Parliament lawmaker has allegedly collaborated and shared information with Russian security service FSB, has prompted the institution to open an investigation, with President Roberta Metsola referring the specific matter to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct. Following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services, Parliament discusses this case and other interference attempts. Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions.

Russiagate - Allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs

The recent media revelations, which outlined how a European Parliament lawmaker has allegedly collaborated and shared information with Russian security service FSB, has prompted the institution to open an investigation, with President Roberta Metsola referring the specific matter to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct. Following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services, Parliament discusses this case and other interference attempts. Second part of the debate.

Russiagate - Allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: MEPs debate (part 2)

The recent media revelations, which outlined how a European Parliament lawmaker has allegedly collaborated and shared information with Russian security service FSB, has prompted the institution to open an investigation, with President Roberta Metsola referring the specific matter to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct. Following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services, Parliament discusses this case and other interference attempts. First part of the debate.

Russiagate - Allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss Russian attempts to interfere in the EU’s democratic processes following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services. Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Russiagate - allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions an

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