Disinformation in Times of COVID-19: Reinforcing the Responses of the European Union and the United States. College of Europe Policy Brief June 2020.

Brovdiy, Yana (2020) Disinformation in Times of COVID-19: Reinforcing the Responses of the European Union and the United States. College of Europe Policy Brief June 2020. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

Since at least the month of January 2020, both Russia and China have been trying to influence global narratives about the COVID-19 pandemic in efforts to undermine the credibility and reputation of both the EU and the US in the eyes of their citizens as well as partners around the world. They do so by creating and spreading disinformation campaigns on the internet as well as through state-backed traditional media. The EU and the United States have to react not only to prevent negative consequences in terms of public health impacts, but also to preserve their regional and global credibility. In the EU, the anti-disinformation policy put in place has been usefully implemented since the start of the pandemic but should be further strengthened taking into account lessons learned over the past few months. In the US, a limited response to COVID-19 disinformation has shown clear gaps in what is yet to become a counter strategy. Developing a solid legislative foundation and raising awareness should be the priorities in this respect, especially in the run-up to the presidential elections. A joint global approach to disinformation can only be based on successful practices from both sides of the Atlantic, understanding of each other’s differences and compromise.

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