In a world grappling with the relentless onslaught of misinformation and foreign meddling, the Council of Europe is stepping up, aiming to forge a new legal shield against these pervasive threats. Imagine a time where the very fabric of our democracies feels frayed, where the news we consume is carefully twisted, and where external forces try to pull the strings of our societies. This isn’t a fictional dystopia; it’s the stark reality many nations face, and it’s precisely why figures like Alain Berset, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, are leading the charge for a new approach.
At a crucial conference held in Chişinău, Moldova, a collective sigh of concern was palpable among the attendees. Government officials, academic minds, and passionate civil society members gathered to confront a common enemy: the insidious spread of disinformation, the manipulative games played by foreign actors, and the venomous rhetoric of hate speech. These aren’t just abstract concepts; they are the unseen forces chipping away at public trust, eroding the very foundations of democratic processes across our continent. The host, Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, spoke with a conviction born from firsthand experience. She vividly described “cognitive war” not as a fleeting incident, but a persistent condition, an unfolding battle for hearts and minds. She painted a stark picture – societies deliberately carved into factions, trust in fundamental institutions systematically undermined, and political choices subtly swayed from afar. With a heavy heart, she connected these widespread efforts to a larger, more sinister strategy, citing Russia’s war against Ukraine as the quintessential example. Beyond the devastating military aggression, a parallel front exists – a relentless campaign to mold perceptions across Europe, to chip away at support for Ukraine, and to sow the seeds of doubt, fatigue, and division. It’s a reminder that modern warfare isn’t just fought on battlefields; it’s waged in the information space, with potentially devastating consequences for our collective future.
Secretary General Alain Berset, with an air of gravitas, reinforced this sobering perspective, stating, “In a world in rupture, where everything is framed as security, control over information becomes a question of democratic security.” His words resonated deeply, highlighting that a democracy unable to safeguard its information space is, in essence, a democracy on borrowed time. He argued that truly protecting our democratic values demands a robust security framework – one that strengthens public institutions, fostering trust, and fortifying them against coordinated, malicious interference designed to weaken them from within. This isn’t merely about defending against overt attacks; it’s about building resilience against clandestine operations that seek to unravel our societal cohesion. It’s this profound understanding that underpins the Council of Europe’s ambitious undertaking: the development of a brand-new legal instrument specifically crafted to tackle foreign information manipulation and interference. This isn’t just about playing defense; it’s about proactively setting up a legal bulwark to protect our fundamental rights and the integrity of our political landscape.
Adding a crucial human dimension to the discussion, Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty emphasized that addressing disinformation and information manipulation transcends the narrow confines of freedom of expression. While freedom of expression is undeniably vital, O’Flaherty articulated a broader, more profound truth: “It is about protecting the very aspects of human life and dignity that are undermined by manipulation.” He painted a vivid picture of how manipulative tactics can insidiously erode our right to privacy, compromise the integrity of our electoral processes, and even endanger the safety of our most vulnerable and marginalized communities. This isn’t just about abstract legal principles; it’s about the tangible impact on real people, their safety, their choices, and their fundamental human rights. His words served as a powerful reminder that the fight against information manipulation is, at its core, a fight for human dignity and the very essence of a just and equitable society.
The Chişinău conference, a testament to the urgency of the situation, was meticulously organized under the auspices of the Moldovan Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and served as a vital component of the ambitious New Democratic Pact for Europe. This wasn’t merely a forum for intellectual discourse; it was a melting pot of ideas and experiences. Government representatives, leaders from international organizations, insightful academics, and dedicated representatives of civil society and the media converged with a shared purpose: to exchange invaluable experiences, brainstorm innovative solutions, and meticulously discuss specific mechanisms that could collectively build a more trustworthy and resilient information environment. A key focus of these discussions was the critical importance of promoting comprehensive media and information literacy – equipping citizens with the tools to discern truth from falsehood, to critically evaluate sources, and to navigate the complexities of the digital information landscape. This collective effort underscores the understanding that combating disinformation isn’t just about top-down policy; it’s also about empowering individuals to be more discerning consumers and creators of information.
Within the framework of this groundbreaking New Democratic Pact for Europe, the Council of Europe member states are currently engaged in a rigorous examination of the feasibility of adopting this proposed legal instrument. This instrument, intended to be rooted in criminal law, aims to directly counter the multifaceted threats posed by foreign information manipulation and interference. This includes not only the pervasive challenge of disinformation but also the intricate web of election interference and other insidious hybrid threats that seek to destabilize our societies. To this end, a dedicated team of experts from member states has already meticulously prepared a comprehensive feasibility study. This pivotal document will serve as the cornerstone for a crucial discussion among the ministers of foreign affairs, scheduled to take place during the Committee of Ministers session in Chişinău on 14 and 15 May 2026. This signifies a concrete, collaborative effort towards establishing a robust legal framework that can actively safeguard democratic processes and protect the integrity of information across the continent. Beyond these high-level discussions, the conference also marked the launch of two invaluable new policy guides, which have been thoughtfully adopted by the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental committee on media and information society. These guides are designed to be practical tools, offering tangible support to the 46 member states in their individual and collective efforts. The first guide acts as a compass, expertly guiding states in the development of comprehensive national media and information literacy strategies, ensuring that citizens are equipped with the critical thinking skills needed to navigate the complex information landscape. The second guide, aptly titled “Resisting disinformation: ten building blocks to strengthen information integrity,” provides a powerful toolkit of complementary measures, offering actionable strategies to combat the scourge of disinformation and fortify the integrity of information in an increasingly volatile digital world. These initiatives, both legal and educational, represent a holistic approach to building a more resilient and informed democratic future.