Page Content

​

Disinformation and the ways to counter is a topic of great importance for the EU at all levels – from local to international. Access to accurate information from a variety of points of view is essential for good functioning of democratic political systems.

The importance of the topic has been recognised by the the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and other EU bodies and institutions, and is listed as a priority in annual work programmes of both the European Commission and the CIVEX commission of the CoR. Witness to the EU commitment is functioning of the Network against Disinformation and the Action Plan against Disinformation, joint endeavour of the European Commision and EEAS, whose implementation has recently started.

The CoR and CIVEX commission in particular has strongly engaged on this crucial dossier. Accompanying the annual meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), an interactive workshop on countering disinformation was held for the young people from six Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries in Kyiv on 23-24 September 2018. The Committee of the Regions adopted an opinion on "Tackling online disinformation: a European approach" on its 7 February 2019 meeting. The rapporteur was Olgierd Geblewicz (PL/EPP). Preliminary exchange of views on a new CoR opinion tackling disinformation will be held at CIVEX commission meeting on 1 April 2019. The rapporteur is Randel Länts (EE/PES), and the title is „Action Plan against Disinformation“, with a purpose to provide a local and regional view on the recent joint initiative of the European Commission and EEAS.

In July, CIVEX commission will have a study visit and conference on disinformation in Szczeczin, Poland.

There are a number of useful online resources on disinformation (see below). The list is continously updated.