EU Unveils Urgent Measures to Combat Disinformation Ahead of Elections

UPDATE: On November 12, 2025, the European Union announced urgent measures to combat online disinformation that threatens the integrity of upcoming elections. EU Commissioner Michael McGrath emphasized the necessity of these steps to preserve democratic systems across Europe.

These initiatives, titled the European Democracy Shield and the EU Strategy for Civil Society, aim to protect the fundamental pillars of democracy: free elections, independent media, and an engaged civil society. In a statement, President Ursula von der Leyen asserted, “Democracy is the foundation of our freedom, prosperity, and security,” highlighting the critical need for resilient institutions.

The European Democracy Shield focuses on three key areas: safeguarding information integrity, strengthening democratic institutions, and enhancing citizen engagement. A central feature will be the establishment of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, designed to bolster the EU’s capacity to anticipate and respond to threats, including foreign misinformation campaigns.

The Centre will facilitate collaboration among EU member states and trusted stakeholders, including civil society organizations and media providers. This collaborative effort aims to mitigate the risks posed by foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

McGrath stressed the importance of a unified approach: “Defending democracy is our first line of defence against rising political confrontation.” The EU’s new measures are a response to a growing landscape of misinformation that undermines electoral processes.

In addition, the EU will enhance coordination through a Digital Services Act incidents protocol to ensure rapid responses to large-scale disinformation campaigns. An independent European Network of Fact-Checkers will also be established to improve fact-checking across all official EU languages.

While the responsibility for conducting elections lies with individual member states, the EU is prioritizing strengthened cooperation to tackle shared challenges. The European Commission will work on guidelines for the responsible use of AI in electoral processes and provide recommendations to enhance the safety of political candidates.

The new Media Resilience Programme will offer increased financial support for independent journalism, addressing concerns over media sustainability and the safety of journalists. McGrath stated, “Democracy is only as strong as the people who believe in it,” emphasizing the need for collective action.

In a proactive effort to counter misinformation, the EU will also promote media and digital literacy initiatives, targeting all age groups. This includes developing an EU citizenship competence framework to enhance education on democratic values in schools.

With these measures, the EU aims to fortify its democratic foundations and ensure that citizens can engage meaningfully in the electoral process. As McGrath concluded, “We must continue working together to protect and promote democracy for generations to come.”

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the EU implements these critical measures against disinformation.