Today, the European Parliament adopted a report by the special committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation.
Here are key points on how to fight #ForeignInterference in democratic processes 🧵⤵️
1/14
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259049746051072
The Russian invasion of Ukraine clearly shows the link between foreign attempts to manipulate information, posing threats to the EU and overall world security and stability.
2/14
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259053818716164
Close and ongoing cooperation with Ukraine is needed to build resilience and fight hybrid attacks.
3/14
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259056876376064
Reality is harsh - theoretical discussions about risks and possible future conflicts, potential threats or technologies have become reality - thousands of Ukrainians give their lives every month, fighting for their freedom and ours.
4/14
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259061892644867
A special funding program for NGOs engaged in disinformation research and building media literacy in society should be established at the EU level. Currently, EU funding for such NGOs is insufficient, fragmented, and not planned for the long-term.
5/14
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259066376454149
The European Council must immediately establish a special sanctions regime against states, organisations, and individuals engaged in deliberate disinformation intended to destabilise democratic processes, especially elections in the EU.
6/14
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259071250165763
The European Commission should create a better-coordinated unified system to combat foreign interference and disinformation; there is currently a lack of strategic coordination and political oversight.
7/14
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259075352190979
Online platforms should be held responsible for the dissemination of harmful content. The current system, in which online platform owners can voluntarily take on obligations, has proven ineffective.
8/14
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259080620331008
A negative example is Twitter, which recently withdrew from the European Union's Code of Practice against Disinformation.
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259086186164228
Efforts should be made to prevent attempts at foreign interference using critical infrastructure and strategic sectors. This includes not allowing the use of equipment from high-risk country manufacturers, for example, Huawei, ZTE, Kaspersky, Nuctech,etc.
10/14
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259090380406784
Equally important is for Member States to constantly ensure the financial and editorial independence of the media.
12/14
#ForeignInterference
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259101604433921
All of this together will build resilience in society against hostile disinformation and the ability to withstand hybrid warfare challenges.
14/14
#ForeignInterference
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259113415593984
At the same time, non-governmental organisations that promote media literacy in society and provide fact-checking should have a proper and stable funding base at the EU level to ensure their uninterrupted operations.
13/14
#ForeignInterference
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/EPPGroup/status/1664259106427883523