The (no) regulation of disinformation in the European Union. A comparative perspective

Abstract

The aim of this study is to carry out a comparative analysis around the different measures undertaken by the countries of the European Union to fight against misinformation. From this perspective, we analyze the measures undertaken by the EU in the new scenario and we study the concrete actions taken by the different countries that have decided to act in the fight against fake news and disinformation. The study focuses mainly on four countries: Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom. The work aims to distinguish between legislative measures, digital literacy, reports, working groups, etc. as well as between internal and external measures. It means, those aimed at monitoring the propaganda and interference activities of third countries in the electoral processes. In any of these scenarios, digital legislation presents challenges that are repeated: a legislative model not adapted to digital changes, interests of traditional actors who don´t want to lose their market shares and power and the unawareness of a new phenomena that quickly has been installed in our daily life.