Democracy Shield with Henna Virkkunen (English)

00:00:00: We are seeing increasingly coordinated disinformation and foreign influence campaigns across Europe.

00:00:08: Is the European Union still in control or struggling to keep up?

00:00:13: We see that our democracies are very much under attack.

00:00:16: And of course, these new digital tools and technologies they also able... ...much easier.

00:00:22: all so that kind information manipulation and really foreign interferes also during the electoral campaigns.. ..and off-course the key is very must at online platforms They have to take their responsibility and here we had very clear rules.

00:00:39: So on line platform's they have two other time assets and mitigate to systematic risks.

00:00:44: they are posing for electoral processes or democratic discourse.

00:00:49: And at the same time it's also important that our fact-checkers and researchers, we're working very closely together really to monitor this situation... ...and it is crucial that we invest in skills of our citizens – that our citizens have good digital skills….

00:01:05: …and good literacy so they can analyse themselves what is happening online!

00:01:11: We continue to see successful interference in elections and public debate.

00:01:16: How do you explain that gap?

00:01:19: We are taking always the electoral processes very seriously with our member states.

00:01:24: Of course elections, they're a competence of our Member States but we also supporting them in our Digital Services Act and participating for example often to roundtables where national digital coordinators are organizing that kind of events on online platforms when checking how they prepared for the electoral process so it's not misused or manipulated Because we know that.

00:01:49: in the same time, digital platforms are a very important source of information for our citizens about politicians and different political parties.

00:01:58: It's also an important channel to reach the audience.

00:02:01: but at the same times online platforms have to make sure they're not manipulated or misused And often it means there is fake accounts with different bots which are really of course very much dominating Often the landscape and online platform has practices.

00:02:20: One major concern is that platforms like META are scaling back fact-checking and content moderation.

00:02:27: Is the European Union losing control of their digital space?

00:02:32: And what's its strategy to stop this?

00:02:36: We have very clear legislation in place and we are fully enforcing our rules.

00:02:42: And when it comes to META, for example... In the European Union they're continuing with fact-checkers.

00:02:47: Our

00:02:48: legislation doesn't set obligations that they need to use fact checkers But they must have a system in place on how they make sure not spreading disinformation or mitigating their risks.

00:02:59: When it's about METTA also published preliminary findings For instance.

00:03:05: there is notice.

00:03:27: Can the European Union really stop platforms from weakening moderation and fact-checking or only react after the fact.

00:03:37: Our rules, or the basis for our rule is that online platforms themselves they have to have practices in place.

00:03:43: That has those kind of housekeeping rules there and making sure it's not spreading disinformation.

00:03:49: They are not spreading illegal content on products.

00:03:52: And if we see them preaching our rules We start formal investigation also against them and then pushing them To change their practice.

00:04:01: But off course you always collect evidence strong basis for our investigation.

00:04:09: But really the general idea on Digital Services Act that online platforms themselves, they have to have the practices in place and they have themself as is and mitigate all time their risks.

00:04:20: And of course now when AI are more integrated into these systems there's also new risk.

00:04:26: we see That why online platforms take this seriously.

00:04:30: What real leverage do you have if global tech companies don't comply?

00:04:35: All the big online platforms, for them Europe is often the biggest market.

00:04:42: after their own home market, for some of them Europe is the picket's market.

00:04:45: So they fully understand that if they want to do business in the European Union They have to comply with our rules.

00:04:51: But it's true That there are always very much defending Their own business interests and thats why its important.

00:04:58: We had a clear rule And when we see that they're not complying With our rules were opening formal investigation Then we are gathering evidence.

00:05:06: After then they have to complied.

00:05:08: How can Europe achieve digital sovereignty without falling behind on innovation?

00:05:14: We see that Europe is having a huge innovation gap.

00:05:17: So during the last years, we have been very good in research and science but often... ...we've been failing when we should do business also with our innovations And thats why we really need to make Europe faster and easier for businesses.. ..we got red tape from our businesses so we can create one single market for companies.

00:05:37: These are main priorities of this Commission to ensure that Europe invests and innovates in tech companies also.

00:05:47: According to the latest Democracy Report, The US is no longer classified as a liberal democracy.

00:05:54: What role does disinformation play on that?

00:05:57: and could Europe face this same risk?

00:06:00: In the European Union, of course democracy is something that all the member states have joined.

00:06:07: They wanted to be part of a democratic union which respects human rights and freedom from speech or expression.

00:06:15: so these are very core values for us in the EU.

00:06:20: defend democracy inside the European Union, but also globally.

00:06:24: And it's true that in the European union... It is not something we can take in granted if we are not working for this all the time.

00:06:33: So our democracies are very much under attack as well with the EU.

00:06:37: For example every year they carry out a rule of law report and then look at each member states where there are rules on what kind of new developments need them to strengthen the rule of law, and for example media freedom in those member states.

00:06:54: How important is media diversity given that many young people now rely almost exclusively on social media for

00:07:14: news?

00:07:19: digital platforms.

00:07:20: So we have to really look at how we can support our news media and journalist content, And of course for citizens it's crucial to have access that kind of journalists information especially.

00:07:33: I Have concerns about Our young generation because many of them social media is the main source For information?

00:07:40: Of course its having also impacts To their thinking Because then maybe a journalist or newspaper who They are creating this content, it can be some kind of influencer for example who is telling how the things are.

00:07:54: And I think that's very worrying.

00:07:57: so we have to make sure... ...that we've got a strong and independent media and quality journalism.. ..and our citizens have access to

00:08:04: them.".

00:08:05: How Can The European Union Improve Media Literacy & Digital Skills Across Europe?

00:08:11: I think

00:08:11: we have to really focus that together with our member states.

00:08:14: There is already good programs and practices, but of course media literacy.

00:08:19: it's crucial at schools for the young citizens... ...but also for older generations because often they don't have same kind of digital skills.

00:08:28: so for them.. ..it can be difficult too see if something is fake news for example.

00:08:34: So i think everybody has a good media literacy and digital skill.

00:08:40: We have to really look with member states at how we can make sure that we will achieve.

00:08:44: How you prevent media organizations from replacing journalists with AI?

00:08:50: Because that shift is already happening!

00:08:54: Quality journalism is something that artificial intelligence can't do.

00:08:58: And of course, from the European Union side when it comes to artificial intelligence we have also very strong transparency rules because people must be able see how content was created and transparency's key here.

00:09:12: but again I think It's the utmost important that people themselves, they are able to analyse and also critically think.

00:09:20: And can demand good quality in

00:09:23: news.".

00:09:24: What gives you confidence that the European Union actually wins this fight rather than simply manage damage?

00:09:32: For the European Union, of course democracy is very much our core value.

00:09:37: And it's something that we want to really protect and defend.

00:09:41: We see countries like Ukraine for example.

00:09:43: they are fighting for their freedom and democracy... ...and we have to support countries such as Ukraine who wants to be free from a democratic country.

00:09:52: So this is my most important priority here To make sure also all member states respect the rule of law.

00:10:01: We have strong democratic institutions, we have very strong independent media and our citizens.

00:10:07: they have access to right information also.

00:10:11: Thank you so much!