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Countering disinformation
Since 2015, the European Union has set out and is actively implementing concrete measures to address disinformation, protect its democratic systems and public debates.
EU leaders and institutions assess the progress achieved in the fight against disinformation and draw key lessons from the European elections.
This year's theme for the World Press Freedom Day is “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”. The theme covers current challenges faced by media in elections, along with the media’s potential in supporting peace and reconciliation processes.
In recent years, the security environment has changed significantly. In addition to military challenges, the EU has seen the rise of hybrid threats on its borders. For example, cyber-attacks on government information systems or disinformation campaigns can undermine elections, aim at destabilising societies and cause serious damage. Against this background, the EU has taken action to boost its capacities as a security provider.
The European Council today welcomed the important work accomplished in countering disinformation in the past months, and called for further enhanced coordinated efforts to address its internal and external aspects.
The Action Plan against Disinformation is at the heart of the EU's strategy to protect May's European elections from disinformation and other attempts at foreign interference.
