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Disinfo: Democratic institutions and principles are losing their influence in European politics

Summary

Democratic institutions and principles are losing their influence in European politics. This applies mostly to the relationships between the EU and individual member states in which Brussels seeks to strengthen its influence through NGOs.

This can be demonstrated by the current conflict with Poland and Hungary or the so-called fight against disinformation which is basically pure censorship. All information questioning the EU (and its so-called values) is going to have to be erased. All disinformation will have to be erased. Who is going to choose what is information and disinformation? A truth or a lie?

Disproof

The so-called “conflict” with Poland and Hungary was connected to these two countries blocking the EU budget and recovery funds because of a condition of abiding by the rule of law and democratic principles.

The European Democracy Action Plan, introduced by European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová, aims to tackle disinformation. Its intention is the reaction to these “worrying trends”.

More specifically, the fight against disinformation seeks to “move from self-regulation to co-regulation.” This, according to Věra Jourová, means “to stop allowing platforms and websites making money on disinformation; to design better ways to deal with manipulation through bots or with the use of fake accounts,” and also set up a monitoring system.

As Ms Jourová herself stated, “[w]e will not regulate on removal of disputed content. We do not want [to] create a ministry of truth. Freedom of speech is essential and I will not support any solution that undermines it.”

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publication/media

Sputnik Czech (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 225
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 07/12/2020
  • Language/target audience: Czech
  • Country: EU, Hungary, Poland
  • Keywords: Democracy, Censorship, European values

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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