European Commission Strengthens Cooperation with Fact-Checkers, Civil Society, Media and Academia

In a significant move to bolster online transparency and combat disinformation, the European Commission has intensified its collaboration with fact-checkers, civil society organizations, media outlets, and academic institutions across the continent.

The initiative comes amid growing concerns about the proliferation of false information and its impact on democratic processes, public health, and social cohesion throughout the European Union. Officials describe these partnerships as critical components of a broader strategy to create a more resilient information ecosystem.

“We recognize that addressing disinformation requires a multi-stakeholder approach,” said a Commission spokesperson at yesterday’s briefing in Brussels. “No single entity can tackle this challenge alone, which is why we’re strengthening these collaborative networks with organizations that have established expertise in identifying and debunking false claims.”

Under the framework, fact-checking organizations will receive additional resources to expand their operations and improve coordination across borders. The Commission has allocated €12 million to support these efforts over the next three years, enabling fact-checkers to respond more quickly to emerging disinformation campaigns, particularly those that spread across multiple EU member states.

The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), established in 2020, serves as the central hub for these collaborations. Through EDMO, the Commission has created a network of regional hubs connecting fact-checkers with academics specializing in digital media research. These hubs now operate in 17 member states, with plans to expand to all 27 EU countries by the end of 2023.

Civil society organizations play an equally important role in the initiative, particularly those focused on media literacy and digital citizenship. The Commission has emphasized the importance of equipping citizens with the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate online information sources.

“Technical solutions and content moderation are important, but ultimately we need citizens who can navigate the information landscape with confidence,” said Helena Koning, director of a Brussels-based digital rights organization. “Civil society bridges the gap between institutional efforts and community engagement.”

Media organizations, many of which have established dedicated fact-checking units in recent years, will receive support to develop innovative verification tools and methodologies. Several major European news outlets have committed to sharing these resources across the industry, recognizing that combating disinformation serves their collective interest in maintaining public trust.

The academic component of the collaboration focuses on researching disinformation patterns and developing evidence-based approaches to counter them. Universities across Europe have established specialized research centers studying the psychological, sociological, and technical aspects of false information spread.

Professor Marie Dumont from the University of Amsterdam’s Center for Information Integrity noted, “Academic research provides the empirical foundation for effective counter-disinformation strategies. Our studies help identify which approaches actually work and which might inadvertently amplify the very content we’re trying to minimize.”

The Commission’s approach reflects lessons learned from previous crises, including election interference, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently, disinformation surrounding the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine. Each of these events revealed how quickly false narratives can spread across digital platforms and the real-world consequences they can trigger.

Industry observers have generally welcomed these partnerships, though some have expressed concerns about ensuring the independence of fact-checkers who receive EU funding. The Commission has emphasized that strict protocols are in place to maintain editorial independence and prevent any perception of political influence.

“The credibility of fact-checking depends entirely on its independence and transparency,” explained Jürgen Schäfer, coordinator of a fact-checking network spanning five countries. “Our methodologies are publicly documented, and we apply the same standards regardless of the source or political alignment of the content we evaluate.”

As disinformation techniques become increasingly sophisticated, including the use of artificial intelligence to create deepfakes and synthetic content, these collaborative efforts face growing challenges. The Commission acknowledges that the partnership approach must continuously evolve to address emerging threats.

“This is not a static initiative,” the Commission spokesperson concluded. “As the nature of disinformation evolves, so must our response. That’s why ongoing dialogue between these different stakeholders is essential to staying ahead of those who seek to manipulate public opinion through false information.”