As per a recent study conducted by the "Enhance Democracy" initiative under the Bertelsmann Stiftung Foundation, over 50% of the European Union's inhabitants harbor skepticism regarding the reliability of information encountered on the internet. The process of identifying and proactively countering deceptive and incorrect content is becoming increasingly feasible for learned youth and individuals.
Nearly 90% of Europeans believe that both technology companies and policymakers share a responsibility for addressing disinformation.
EU Citizens Urge Policymakers to Take Action Against Disinformation Spread
In the European Union, there's a growing call for stronger measures against the deliberate dissemination of false and deceptive content online. In general, 85% of EU citizens express the view that policymakers should take more proactive steps to curb the propagation of disinformation. Moreover, 89% believe that social media platform operators should also enhance their efforts. This demand for increased action aligns closely with a clear recognition of the issue among EU residents. These findings are a result of a recent study conducted by the "Upgrade Democracy" project.
The study reveals that more than half of the respondents (54%) often or very often feel uncertain about the truthfulness of information found on the internet, and 39% acknowledge encountering disinformation.
Kai Unzicker, the study's author and expert on democracy and social cohesion, emphasizes, "Reliable information is the basis for forming sound opinions and, as a result, for democratic discourse. People in Europe are very uncertain about which digital content they can trust and which has been intentionally manipulated. Anyone who wants to protect and strengthen democracy cannot leave people to deal with disinformation on their own."
Younger, Educated Individuals More Proactive Against False Information
The survey findings underscore the necessity for action: Less than half of the Europeans (44%) indicate that they have verified online information they come across. An even smaller fraction (22%) identify or alert others to instances of disinformation. Nevertheless, age also exerts an influence. Younger and more educated participants exhibit greater proactivity in scrutinizing the accuracy of information and taking measures to counteract disinformation. Kai Unzicker emphasizes that "The ability to recognize and stop false information should not depend on age or level of education."
The "Upgrade Democracy" study further demonstrates that the frequency of encountering disinformation is higher for respondents who use a larger number of social media channels on a regular basis. Among various platforms, users of Twitter and Telegram tend to encounter false information more frequently and are more inclined to report it. In terms of the impact of social media on democracy, opinions among Europeans are divided: 30% of participants lean towards identifying disadvantages, 28% perceive advantages, and 42% acknowledge a mix of positive and negative aspects.
The outcomes of the study also exhibit variations by country: Skeptical viewpoints are more prevalent in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Conversely, individuals in Poland express notably more positive attitudes regarding the influence of social media on democracy.
Upgrade Democracy Project Tackles Disinformation
In light of the survey results, the study proposes the implementation and expansion of systematic monitoring carried out by impartial experts and civil society participants in Germany and Europe. This will enhance the identification and labeling of disinformation. Additionally, digital platforms need to establish consistent and transparent content moderation practices. Anticipation also surrounds the transparency reports that major social media providers are expected to release by the end of August as part of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) implementation.
"Many things must mesh if disinformation is to be combatted," says Cathleen Berger, expert for digital policy at the Bertelsmann Stiftung Foundation.
"In addition to regulation from above, there must be competence building from below. We must make the general public more aware of the risks of disinformation. At the same time, we must ensure that people across all generations are more capable of checking and classifying news and media content since, as the survey shows, people are more willing to take action against disinformation when they recognize it."
The Upgrade Democracy project introduces approaches and actions aimed at efficiently addressing and mitigating disinformation and manipulation on social media platforms. Additionally, the project delves into innovative technologies and methods that promote fair and vibrant political dialogues.
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