Online platforms need to be more accountable for combating illegal content, hate speech and misinformation

On the 3rd of December MEP, Irena Joveva attended an event entitled Shaping the Future of European Union media policy in Brussels. The event started with introductory speech of European Commissioner for Values ​​and Transparency Vera Jourova, followed by four presentations of their visions by media representatives, and three panels on current issues of European media policy. In the first-panel debate Irena, along with Giuseppe Abbamonte (European Commission, Director for Media Policy), Mogens Bjerregård (President of European Federation of Journalists) and Ravi Vatrapu (Ryerson University Research Chair, Canada & Spokesperson for EU Disinfo Code of Practice Sounding Board) participated in a debate on fostering and promoting quality journalism.

Panellists discussed the pressing issues of journalism in the digital age. The development of online platforms and social networks is transforming media space. Traditional editorial and journalistic roles and their responsibilities are changing with online platforms, while at the same time presenting multiple new ethical challenges. Several pressing questions regarding the credibility of information, the manipulation with misinformation, and future of professional journalism are arising. Media freedom continues to be the cornerstone of quality and independent journalism. The EU has recently taken some measures to safeguard the fourth branch of government and freedom of speech, including the Directive on the protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law and the introduction of so-called ‘ EU Code of Practice on Disinformation.

The main focus of the discussion were additional necessary steps to protect journalistic sources and freedom of expression in the digital age. Based on the continuous appearance of political manipulation, violence and terrorist contents, the current self-regulation of online platforms seems to be insufficient. Therefore, the European Union and the Member States require an additional legal authority to regulate hate speech, other illegal content and controversial political advertising. Speakers agreed the new legislation should create the conditions for the media to continue to play their crucial role in society and that online platforms should take more responsibility for combating illegal content, hate speech and misinformation.

You can read more here.