European Union authorities are planning to create a Center for Democratic Resilience to combat disinformation from russia and other authoritarian regimes reported by the British outlet The Guardian, citing an internal document of the European Commission.
The new center will be part of the Democracy Shield initiative proposed by EC President Ursula von der Leyen and will coordinate the exchange of information and raise public awareness of foreign governments' attempts to manipulate information.
The project states that russia, in addition to waging war against Ukraine, is actively using hybrid attacks against Europe.
"By spreading false information, sometimes including manipulation and falsification of historical facts, Russia is trying to undermine confidence in democratic systems," The Guardian quoted the draft document as saying.
The European Commission intends to unite experts from all EU countries, as well as states seeking to join the bloc, within the center. Participation in the organization will be voluntary. The EC also allows for the possibility of joining "like-minded partners", which, according to the publication, makes it possible for the UK to participate.
In addition, the Democracy Shield plan envisages the creation of an independent network of fact-checkers to protect against disinformation, especially during elections, health emergencies or natural disasters.
Brussels also intends to form a network of online opinion leaders who will disseminate information about democratic standards and EU rules in the online space.
According to the EU External Action Service, dozens of Russian disinformation campaigns have been recorded in recent years alone. Among them is Operation Doppelganger, which involved the creation of websites copying well-known European media outlets such as Die Welt, Le Point, La Stampa, and Polskie Radio and publishing fake materials with anti-Western content.
These fake articles were then shared on social media, with the aim of discrediting European politicians and weakening public support for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees.
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