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Met dank overgenomen van Europese Commissie (EC), gepubliceerd op donderdag 6 mei 2021.
I am very honoured that you invited me to this very important conference where everyone who works on countering disinformation and foreign interference should be.
I remember after learning that I will deal with countering disinformation one of my first thoughts were:
I have to go to Riga to see the NATO people and the Latvian authorities; they know a thing or two about this issue.
Clearly, the pandemic has affected my plans, but I believe soon the time will come I will be able to see many of you personally.
On Wednesday, MEPs called for democratic oversight of tech giants to safeguard freedom of expression.
In a debate with Secretary of State for European Affairs Ana Paula Zacarias from the Portuguese Presidency of the Council, and Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová, almost all speakers criticised the vast power of social media platforms and their worrying impact on politics and freedom of speech.
Citing various decisions taken by the platforms to censor content or accounts, a large majority in the chamber highlighted the lack of clear rules governing such decisions and the lack of transparency of big tech practices. They urged the Commission to address the issue in the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, and as part of the Democracy Action Plan.
As part of a wider bid to clamp down on harmful content on the internet, the European Commission has urged major digital platforms to take measures to de-monetise disinformation online.
Disinformation should not occupy a “prominent place” online, said Věra Jourová, the Commission’s Vice-President for values and transparency.
If they were less visible, these types of content wouldn’t attract as much money in advertising revenue as they do now, she said on Wednesday (27 January) during a debate in the European Parliament’s civil liberties committee.
However, any decision by platforms to de-monetise online content should be made in full transparency, she added.
Indivisible Yolo plans six weeks of action
Those who are thrilled to see President Biden and Vice-President Harris safely sworn in but worried about losing momentum for positive change can join Indivisible Yolo for six weeks of action to work toward rebalancing power by securing voting rights, fixing the Senate and depoliticizing the courts.
Indivisible Yolo will host a virtual “Fixing Our Democracy Action Hour” from 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 31 to March 7, building on the phonebank community that was instrumental in electing Biden and flipping the Senate. Participants will learn about key democracy reform goals and make phone calls, write postcards or take other simple actions.