DISINFO: Democratic institutions and principles are losing their influence in European politics
SUMMARY
Democratic institutions and principles are losing their influence in European politics. This applies mostly to the relationships between the EU and individual member states in which Brussels seeks to strengthen its influence through NGOs.
This can be demonstrated by the current conflict with Poland and Hungary or the so-called fight against disinformation which is basically pure censorship. All information questioning the EU (and its so-called values) is going to have to be erased. All disinformation will have to be erased. Who is going to choose what is information and disinformation? A truth or a lie?
RESPONSE
The so-called “conflict” with Poland and Hungary was connected to these two countries blocking the EU budget and recovery funds because of a condition of abiding by the rule of law and democratic principles.
The European Democracy Action Plan, introduced by European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová, aims to tackle disinformation. Its intention is the reaction to these “worrying trends”.
More specifically, the fight against disinformation seeks to “move from self-regulation to co-regulation.” This, according to Věra Jourová, means “to stop allowing platforms and websites making money on disinformation; to design better ways to deal with manipulation through bots or with the use of fake accounts,” and also set up a monitoring system.
As Ms Jourová herself stated, “[w]e will not regulate on removal of disputed content. We do not want [to] create a ministry of truth. Freedom of speech is essential and I will not support any solution that undermines it.”