Author: Matilde Pocaterra
Committee: Connect Commitee
Date: 04/05/2025
In the digital age, social media has radically transformed the dissemination of information, serving both as essential tools for communication and democratic participation and as fertile ground for disinformation. According to the Special Eurobarometer Survey No. 516 (2023), 83% of European citizens consider disinformation a concrete threat to democracy. While trust in traditional media remains higher than in online sources, social media has become the primary source of information for millions of European citizens.
The European Commission, based on the 2022 report of the High-Level Expert Group on Disinformation, defines this phenomenon as “verifiably false, inaccurate, or misleading information designed, presented, and disseminated for profit or to intentionally deceive the public, which may cause public harm.” European justice has taken on a central role in ensuring the accuracy of information and the protection of fundamental rights. In recent years, it has played a key role in safeguarding truthfulness and fundamental rights, as disinformation—especially when systematically spread—can manipulate opinions and influence public decisions. To counter this, the EU has implemented measures such as the Code of Practice on Disinformation (2018, reinforced in 2022), the Digital Services Act (EU Regulation 2022/2065), and the AVMS Directive (since 2010), which requires platforms to take measures against misleading content and hate speech. Additionally, the European Media Freedom Act (EU Regulation 2024/1083) ensures greater editorial independence and transparency. Cooperation between the European Parliament, the Council, and Member States is crucial for monitoring disinformation and developing risk analysis strategies. However, regulation alone is not enough: media literacy is essential to equip citizens with the necessary tools to recognize and counter fake news.
This issue gained prominence a few years ago with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which occurred in an environment of health emergency and mass hysteria due to limited knowledge of the virus. In this context, social media accelerated the spread of unverified or incorrect information. The phenomenon intensified further with the escalation of international conflicts, such as the war between Ukraine and Russia (which began in February 2022) and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (which escalated in October 2023). In response to these developments, the European Commission has devised various strategies, including demonetizing disinformation providers by limiting advertising revenues generated from misleading content, increasing transparency in political advertising through the labeling of sponsored content, countering manipulative content such as fake accounts, automated systems (bots), and audiovisual manipulation technologies (deepfakes), and strengthening fact-checking through the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), established in June 2020.
Over the years, a well-structured monitoring system will allow for the evaluation of the effectiveness of measures adopted against disinformation, always preserving the balance between regulation and freedom of expression, without imposing a single viewpoint. The real issue is not the mere presence of fake news but rather the speed at which it spreads and the ease with which it is perceived as true. Social media algorithms, which prioritize viral and polarizing content, often reinforce biases and misconceptions, fostering an environment conducive to the “filter bubble.” In this scenario, users are primarily exposed to content that confirms their own opinions, reducing critical engagement with alternative viewpoints. As highlighted by the Treccani Institute, this phenomenon leads to the construction of a self-referential “virtual environment.” However, if managed consciously and properly regulated, social media can serve as effective tools for disseminating reliable information, even within the legal culture domain. Creating a more transparent online environment requires collaboration between digital platforms and institutions, promoting verified content and encouraging user accountability. It is crucial to foster the active presence of institutions within the social media ecosystem, allowing for the monitoring of information flows without compromising freedom of expression. The strategic goal is not to impose censorship but to prevent information distortion, ensuring pluralism and diversity of opinions. The EU’s Connect Com plays a crucial role in coordinating disinformation counterstrategies, promoting a balance between effective regulation and the protection of fundamental rights. Media literacy remains essential in equipping citizens with the critical tools needed to recognize disinformation, thereby contributing to a more resilient and democratic media landscape.