About: fake news
TikTok limits service in Russia, breaking ranks with Chinese firms
Video-sharing app TikTok has limited services in Russia after it passed a law criminalising sharing “false” information about the war in Ukraine. The move makes it one of the first Chinese companies to boycott Moscow following the invasion.
Germany slaps broadcast ban on RT’s German-language service
German authorities have banned the broadcasting of Russia Today's German-language TV programme on Wednesday (2 February) because it lacked the necessary media licence. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Reporters Without Borders files complaint against Facebook for ‘deceptive commercial practices’
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) filed a complaint against Facebook for "deceptive commercial practices" on Monday (22 March), accusing the social media giant of not respecting its commitments related to fighting disinformation and moderating online hate, particularly targeting journalists. EURACTIV France reports.
Lawmakers call for tougher EU disinformation laws in wake of US riots
Lawmakers in the European Parliament have raised concerns at the role that social media played in the storming of the US Capitol in Washington, saying the EU's proposed Digital Services Act (DSA) should double down on the spread of conspiratorial material online.
Time to act against fake news
Platforms committed in 2018 to a Code of Practice against disinformation, including changes to their algorithms based on ‘Trustworthiness indicators’. As the EU prepares a Digital Services Act and Action Plans on democracy and on media, clearer references are required, write Marc Sundermann, Christophe Leclercq and Paolo Cesarini.
Spain’s disinformation battle plan in the dock
A Spanish government plan to fight disinformation has sparked complaints from the media and the opposition, which say it limits free expression and seeks to establish a "ministry of truth".
Ukraine is a valuable ally in defeating Russian disinformation
Ukraine, the laboratory of Russia’s disinformation techniques, wants to work closely with the EU and NATO to defeat disinformation together, writes Andriy Yermak.OpinionStakeholder Opinion
Azerbaijan’s strength is not only on battlefield, it’s in international law
At a time when Armenian military forces have been dealt a significant blow and lack manpower and military equipment to resist Azerbaijan’s counter-offensive operation, Azerbaijan demands the restoration of its internationally recognized territorial integrity, writes Vasif Huseynov.
Facebook, Twitter pull Trump posts over coronavirus misinformation
Facebook on Wednesday (5 August) took down a post by US President Donald Trump, which the company said violated its rules against sharing misinformation about the coronavirus.
European justice ministers promise to combat disinformation and racism
Rule of law as a priority of the German EU Council presidency was an open secret long before the programme was presented. Thus, it was only fitting that the first Council meeting chaired by Germany was that of the ministers of justice. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Time to aim high: tackling disinformation during the pandemic
The EU needs a course correction in its approach to disinformation and fake news in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, writes Juliane von Reppert-Bismarck.
Media calls on EU to crack down on online disinformation
Broadcasters, publishers and journalists called on the European Commission on Monday (15 June) to implement "much stronger measures" to combat disinformation on internet platforms such as Google and Facebook.
‘Time to tell the truth’ on Chinese disinformation, Jourova says
The European Commission has come out with an unambiguous message against China's efforts to spread disinformation related to the coronavirus outbreak in Europe. It is the first time the executive has publicly called out China for its role in spreading fake news.
EU code of practice on disinformation ‘insufficient and unsuitable,’ member states say
A coalition of EU member states have hit out at the bloc's efforts to stem the spread of disinformation, calling the self-regulatory framework currently in place "insufficient and unsuitable."
European Digital Media Observatory launched in Florence to analyse disinformation
The European Digital Media Observatory, which aims to analyse disinformation, was launched on Monday (1 June) in Florence. Funded by the EU, it brings together researchers and experts in media literacy. EURACTIV Italy reports.
Georgia targeted by fake stories of US secret labs spreading COVID-19
EU foreign ministers are discussing China on Friday (29 May), as the country started to back Russian narratives of Washington-led biological weapon development in Georgia and other post-Soviet countries. One widely circulating allegation in the internet during the pandemic claimed...
Commission study calls for ‘sanctions’ for online disinformation
A European Commission study on the effectiveness of the EU's code of practice against disinformation has criticised the self-regulatory nature of the framework, suggesting that "sanctions and redress mechanisms" should be put into place in order to ensure compliance with the rules.
Chizhov: Coronavirus cannot diminish the significance of Victory Day
In a wide-ranging interview, Russian Ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, discussed Victory Day, Russia’s relations with its wartime allies, conspiracy theories about COVID-19, sanctions, disinformation and more.
Kazakhstan fends off allegations it is developing biological weapons
Kazakhstan is not developing biological weapons or researching their possible use against other countries, its ministry of foreign affairs said on Saturday (2 May), denying allegations circulated in Russian and domestic media that the country is working on biological weapons similar to COVID-19
Borrell: China ‘expressed their concerns’ over disinformation leak
Chinese officials have "expressed their concerns" over the leak of a draft internal publication on disinformation, the EU's diplomatic chief Joseph Borrell confirmed on Thursday (30 April).
Building transnational immunity to the COVID-19 infodemic
The European Union is a major target of disinformation campaigns about COVID-19, both by Russia and domestic nationalist actors. What the bloc needs is a cross-national media engagement, a truly transnational European public sphere to build resilience against disinformation on EU affairs, writes Nad’a Kovalcikova.
EEAS denies toning down China disinformation report under pressure
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has hit out at reports that it toned down allegations made against China as part of a report into state-led disinformation campaigns, following pressure from Beijing.
Global conspiracies, local panics
The COVID-19 pandemic, disrupting societies, economies, families and persons alike, is compounded by a global contagion of rumours, conspiracies, fake news and other deadly narratives that, despite their appearance of being tailored to fit local characteristics, are strikingly similar at a transnational level, writes Alina Bargaoanu.