The Disinformation Dilemma: How to Respond and Regulate Without Undermining Democracy?

European Parliament Online Seminar The disinformation dilemma: How to respond and regulate without undermining democracy?

17 March 2021, 14:30 CET / 09:30 EST #Disinformation

Directorate-General for Communication 14:30 Welcome and practicalities

14:35 Opening Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, European Parliament Spokesperson

14:40 Keynote speech Christopher KREBS, former Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Moderator: Delphine COLARD, European Parliament Head of Spokesperson’s Unit and Deputy Spokesperson

15:00 Panel 1 - The disinformation challenge: foreign and domestic actors Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, Latvia), Member of the European Parliament. Rapporteur on Foreign interference in all the democratic processes in the EU, including disinformation in (INGE)

Sophie IN ‘T VELD (Renew, The Netherlands), Member of the European Parliament. Member of LIBE Committe and Chair of Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group

Ambassador Baiba BRAŽE, Assistant Secretary General of the Public Diplomacy Division, NATO HQ

Geysha GONZÁLEZ, Senior Director for Programs and Strategy at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)

Moderator: Raffaella DE MARTE, European Parliament Head of Media Services Unit

15:50 Panel 2 -Fighting disinformation and modernising our online regulation Christel SCHALDEMOSE (S&D, Denmark), Member of the European Parliament. Newly elected Rapporteur for Digital Services Act (Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, IMCO)

Magdalena ADAMOWICZ (EPP, Poland), Member of the European Parliament. Rapporteur on Strengthening Media Freedom: the Protection of Journalists in Europe, Hate Speech, Disinformation and the Role of Platforms (Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs LIBE)

Susan NESS, Distinguished Fellow, German Marshall Fund US

Tyson BARKER, Head, Technology and Global Affairs at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) (TBC)

16:35 Closing remarks Joe DUNNE, Director of European Parliament Liaison Office in Washington If you are a journalist interested on participating in this press webinar, please, inscribe in order to receive the WEBEX LINK to: European Parliament Media Seminars [email protected]

Background

Defending democracies in the post-truth era: fighting disinformation and protecting our info-sphere

Across the world, conspiracy theories and anti-democratic narratives have been spreading at an alarming rate, and our vulnerabilities to false information - disproportionately amplified by largely self-regulated social media platforms - have been accelerated by the pandemic. We are targeted by authoritarian actors that seek to undermine trust in our democracies and blur the lines between fact and fiction. On both sides of the Atlantic we are increasingly aware that the domestic sources of disinformation also pose a great threat. Our legislation for the digital sphere, key parts of which date back before the emergence of social media, is under review and new proposals are on the table in the EU. A similar debate is taking place in the USA. How can we make sure that we become more resilient to disinformation and conspiracy theories? How can we protect our infosphere - the space for public democratic debate - against foreign and domestic anti-democratic actors? And what are the avenues for transatlantic cooperation?

The disinformation that supports the anti-democratic narratives also gives some reasons to look at:

• The power of domestic disinformation is often underestimated. Foreign interference was a hot topic after the 2016 US election and it remains a threat. However, analysis shows it was not a significant factor in either the 2019 European elections or the 2020 US elections. Disinformation from within is a more complex regulation challenge, since democracy must be defended without compromising fundamental values, such as freedom of speech. • Distrust of institutions and false narratives are gaining ground. Even extreme conspiracy theories like QA- non have gained a following in Europe. Multiple conspiracy theories - playing into fears about perceived elites and about COVID-19 - can have a powerful compound effect to erode trust in the establishment and the lines between fact and fiction, especially at a time of economic and societal fragility. Democratic narratives in our communications are more important than ever. • Self-regulation by social media platforms is inadequate. Current relevant digital legislation in both the US and EU dates back over 20 years, before the arrival of social media. The Commission launched a voluntary code of conduct on disinformation in 2018 and published new proposals last month, including a European Democracy Action Plan, the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. They aim to increase transparency and account- ability of platforms. EP committees will get to work on these proposals in the coming weeks. • Disruption of rule of law at home undermines our democracy building efforts around the world. Autocratic leaders have been quick to try to relate the Capitol Hill riots as evidence of a failure of democracy, or of double standards by western leaders when the unrest is in their back yard.