Strengthening Democracy in Europe: An Update on the Democratic Shield Initiative

Following the conclusion of the European elections, the Democratic Shield Task Force (Make.org, Alliance4Europe, CEE Digital Democracy Watch, Digital New Deal, France Digitale, Telecom Paris, Fondation Robert Schuman, Reporters Without Borders, SciencesPo, Sopra Steria, Institut Polytechnique de Paris) has  redefined its tasks and narrative to set the priorities 2024-2029 EU mandate. This shift comes especially in light of the proposed “European Democracy Shield”, as mandated by President Ursula von der Leyen. This top priority of the European Commission underscores the urgent need to address the challenges of disinformation, foreign information manipulation (FIMI), democratic backsliding and the risks associated with the misuse of technology, alongside potential benefits and opportunities of such.

Progress Made by the Democratic Shield Task Force

Since the launch of the Democratic Shield ahead of the European Parliament elections,  we have seen many of the ten proposed measures put into practice, including revised guidelines under the Digital Services Act (DSA), enhanced monitoring mechanisms, a code of conduct, and the organisation of numerous workshops and webinars. Our task force, composed of diverse stakeholders from civil society, academia, and industry, remains dedicated to addressing the complex challenges posed by disinformation and the misuse of technology.

The Way Forward for 2024 - 2029

In light of the new legislative framework and the priority by President von der Leyen, the Democratic Shield Task Force has proposed 17 policy recommendations, grouped in five thematic tracks to shape the EU's ongoing work on combating disinformation and strengthening democratic structures:

1. Monitoring: Enable a comprehensive and politically independent monitoring system to detect and counter information manipulation in real time.
2. Solutions: Leverage digital technologies for fact-checking and to enhance the capabilities of those combating disinformation and reinforcing democracy.
3. Governance: Ensure that regulations like the DSA are enforced impartially while promoting media literacy and critical thinking across the EU.
4. Pluralism: Encourage transparency and support independent journalism to foster trust between citizens and institutions.
5. Participation: Promote democratic narratives and enhance opportunities for citizen engagement, both online and offline.

You can find an overview on the proposed measures here.

The fight against disinformation, and more particularly FIMI, is an ongoing and evolving challenge that requires collaborative efforts across all levels of governance. Make.org is proud to lead initiatives such as the Democratic Shield that not only strengthen democratic processes but also empower citizens to play an active role in shaping their futures. Together, we can reinforce the foundations of democracy in Europe and ensure that technology serves the common good.

Find out more on the new Democratic Shield policy recommendations here.