Citizens and Civil Society Key to Battling Disinformation, EESC Conference to Highlight

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will host its fourth conference on combating disinformation on May 22 in Lisbon, Portugal, bringing together representatives from multiple sectors to address what many now consider one of Europe’s most pressing challenges.

The event, titled “CITIZENS CAN DEFEAT DISINFORMATION. Civil society for an open democratic debate,” represents the latest effort in the EESC’s ongoing initiative to mobilize civil society in the fight against false information that threatens democratic institutions across the continent.

Organized in partnership with the Economic and Social Council of Portugal, the conference will take place amid growing concerns about disinformation’s accelerating impact in the age of artificial intelligence. The public event will be streamed in both Portuguese and English, making it accessible to a wide audience.

“Disinformation has evolved from a minor concern to a major societal threat,” said a spokesperson familiar with the EESC’s work in this area. “What makes this particular initiative distinctive is its focus on empowering ordinary citizens rather than relying solely on institutional solutions.”

The EESC, an EU advisory body representing employers, workers, and civil society organizations, has increasingly prioritized disinformation as a critical area requiring coordinated response. The committee has taken a unique approach by emphasizing horizontal engagement rather than top-down solutions, recognizing that false information typically spreads through peer-to-peer networks.

Portugal serves as a strategic location for this latest conference, as Southern European countries have witnessed particularly aggressive disinformation campaigns in recent years, often targeting democratic processes and institutions. The Lisbon event follows previous conferences in other EU member states as part of the committee’s broader campaign.

Participants will include Portuguese government officials, European Union representatives, journalists, academics, social media experts, and members of civil society organizations. The diverse attendance reflects the EESC’s belief that countering disinformation requires a multidisciplinary approach spanning political, technological, educational, and social domains.

The timing of this conference is particularly significant as Europe faces numerous challenges that make societies vulnerable to manipulation through false information. From migration concerns to economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, disinformation campaigns have repeatedly attempted to exploit societal divisions.

Perhaps most concerning is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, which have dramatically transformed the disinformation landscape. AI-generated content—including increasingly convincing deepfakes—has made identifying false information more challenging than ever for average citizens.

“The integration of artificial intelligence into disinformation operations represents a quantum leap in both sophistication and potential harm,” noted a disinformation researcher not affiliated with the event. “What once required significant resources from state actors can now be accomplished with readily available tools and minimal technical expertise.”

The EESC’s approach emphasizes that while technological and regulatory solutions are necessary, an informed citizenry represents the most resilient defense against manipulation. By building critical thinking skills and media literacy across diverse populations, societies can develop greater collective immunity to false narratives.

This bottom-up strategy aligns with recent research suggesting that purely technological or regulatory approaches to disinformation often prove insufficient without corresponding educational and social components.

The Lisbon conference continues the EESC’s tradition of bringing high-level policy discussions directly to citizens, allowing for inclusive dialogue that bridges the gap between European institutions and the populations they serve.

Those interested in attending the May 22 event can register through the EESC’s website, while others can participate virtually through the livestream in either Portuguese or English.