Securing media freedom and diversity in Europe (own-initiative opinion) - Related Opinions

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Resilient Democracy through a strong and diverse civil society (own-initiative opinion)

Prijaté on 20/03/2019
Referenčné dokumenty: 
SOC/605-EESC-2018
Rapporteur: 
Christian MOOS (Diversity Europe - GR III / Germany)

Liberal democracy relies on civil liberties and a pluralistic civil society, but considerable political forces in today's Europe are challenging liberal democracy. The social, political and legal framework must allow for a pluralistic civil society. Strong social partners and civil society are needed to defend EU values. The EESC calls for the creation of a Democracy Semester, a European control mechanism, corrective economic measures for non-respect of fundamental EU values, the creation of a European statute for CSOs, or interinstitutional CSO authorisation and, tax incentives to support civil society. Burning social questions must be tackled, ensuring social sustainability and inclusive education.

Stanovisko EHSV: Resilient Democracy through a strong and diverse civil society (own-initiative opinion)

Action Plan against Disinformation

Prijaté on 20/03/2019
Referenčné dokumenty: 
TEN/687-EESC-2018
Referral: 
JOIN(2018) 36 final
Rapporteur: 
Ulrich SAMM (Germany)
Co-rapporteur: 
Giulia BARBUCCI (Workers - GR II/Italy)

The EESC takes careful note of the initiative's definition of disinformation as verifiably false or misleading information that is a threat to democracy and does public harm. Spreading disinformation has become a part of a hybrid war with a clear political aim. However, it also emphasises that, in addition to false information, highly selective information, defamation, scare-mongering and inciting hatred attack citizens' fundamental rights (freedoms) and minority rights.

Multiple actions from all stakeholders are needed to provide quality information and raise awareness. To this end, the EESC welcomes the initiative for coordinated action to protect the EU, its institutions and its citizens against disinformation. The EESC emphasises the urgency of such measures but is also concerned, however, that the impact of this action plan might be limited given that the May 2019 European elections are not far off.

Stanovisko EHSV: Action Plan against Disinformation

Preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online

Prijaté on 12/12/2018
Referenčné dokumenty: 
SOC/609-EESC-2018
Referral: 
COM(2018) 640 final 2018/0331 CODCOM(2018) 640 final 2018/0331 COD
Rapporteur: 
José Antonio MORENO DÍAZ (Workers - GR II / Spain)

The EESC welcomes the Commission proposal on preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online, while calling for the indeterminate legal concepts such as "terrorist information, terrorist acts, terrorist groups or advocacy of terrorism" to be defined as precisely as possible. The EESC highlights the need to assess the effects of the application of this proposal on SMEs, as well as to consider transition arrangements facilitating their adaptation and a level playing field.

Stanovisko EHSV: Preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online

New Justice, Rights and Values Fund

Prijaté on 18/10/2018
Referenčné dokumenty: 
SOC/599-EESC-2018-02950
Referral: 
COM(2018) 383 final 2018/0207 CODCOM(2018) 383 final 2018/0207 CODCOM(2018) 384 final 2018/0208 CODCOM(2018) 384 final 2018/0208 COD
Rapporteur: 
Jean-Marc ROIRANT (France)

The Justice, Rights and Values Fund is a much-needed instrument for the promotion of EU values, fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law, and in support of a vibrant and diverse civil society. Overall funding should be increased to EUR 1.4 billion, and innovative funding tools be used to reinforce civil society participation and capacity. 50% of the different strands should be earmarked for civil society organisations, and funding for litigation in support of civil society organisations defending fundamental rights be supported. Synergies should be found with programmes supporting media freedom.

Stanovisko EHSV: New Justice, Rights and Values Fund

Initiative addressing online platform challenges as regards the spreading of disinformation (Communication)

Prijaté on 19/09/2018
Referenčné dokumenty: 
TEN/664-EESC-2018
Referral: 
COM(2018) 236 final
Rapporteur: 
Martin SIECKER (Netherlands)

A variety of tools and methods are currently used to undermine European values and external actions of the EU, as well as to develop and provoke separatist and nationalistic attitudes, manipulate the public and conduct direct interference in the domestic policy of sovereign countries and the EU as a whole. Moreover, the growing influence of cyber offensive capabilities and increased weaponization of technologies to achieve political goals is observed. The impact of such actions is often underestimated.

The EESC agrees with the Commission's call for more responsibility on the part of social media platforms. However, despite the existence of several studies and policy papers produced by European specialists in the last few years, the Commission's communication lacks any practical mandatory steps to ensure this.

Stanovisko EHSV: Initiative addressing online platform challenges as regards the spreading of disinformation (Communication)

Tackling Illegal Content Online – Towards an enhanced responsibility of online platforms (Communication)

Prijaté on 14/03/2018
Referenčné dokumenty: 
INT/836-EESC-2017-05365-00-00-AC-TRA
Referral: 
COM(2017) 555 final
Rapporteur: 
Bernardo HERNÁNDEZ BATALLER (Diversity Europe - GR III / Spain)

Illegal online content is a complex and cross-cutting issue that needs to be tackled from a range of perspectives, both in terms of assessing its impact and harmonising the way it is dealt with in the legal framework of the Member States.

Stanovisko EHSV: Tackling Illegal Content Online – Towards an enhanced responsibility of online platforms (Communication)

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