Key ways to defend #EUDemocracy in uncertain times w/ the European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP) - implemented by 2023, before next EU elections. How to 1. Promote free & fair elections 2. Strengthen media freedom & pluralism 3. Counter disinformation? What’s new & what’s missing?

1.Stronger focus & costs on foreign interference- EDAP aims to develop new capabilities to address influence ops, foreign interference & disinformation (possibly also sanctions). Our recommendations: https://www.gmfus.org/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/ASD%20European%20Blueprint%202019%20%281%29.pdf

2.Emphasis on safeguarding freedom of expressions & focus on malign behavior online “to prevent the manipulative amplification of harmful content” & focus on “the spread, reach and the degree of coordination behind disinformation campaigns [are indeed] paramount.”

3. New "Co-regulatory backstop” in the DSA (15 Dec) for enhanced Code of Practice(CoP) w push for platforms’ accountability, clarity of regulations & more researchers’ access to data (GDPR Art. 40 WG in the @EDMO_EUI is a good step). Clarification of transparency measures needed.

4. New legislation on transparency of online political ads in 2021 (complementing DSA) & revised rules on financing of European polit. parties. Polit. consultation on elections & pol. marketing also in 2021. Definition of political ads & rules on microtargeting still missing.

5. Media situation is critical. Protection of journalists, sustainable funding and increased transparency of media ownership belong among key EU priorities in 2021, and rightly so. Increased support for local and independent journalism is needed.

6. Mainstreaming of equality is critical. @LucinaDiMeco: “Women appear to be disproportionately targeted by online abuse & disinfo attacks.” Feminist approach & broader reforms to protect against such targeting of marginalized groups is needed.

7. Participatory and deliberative democracy – including the planned increased funding for engagement of and with civil society, EU youth strategy & the Conference on the Future of Europe are welcome.

8. The regulations must be implemented, enforced and assessed, thoroughly & regularly, in order to be effective (e.g. it’s a good step to set up a permanent framework for the monitoring of the CoP on disinfo).More information on the enforcement of relevant rules would be welcome.

9. More clarity is needed on responsibilities stemming from the EDAP at national and/or EU level.

10. The EDAP shows that the EU continues to be a normative power & wants to lead by example, build partnerships w other democracies & organizations to safeguard democratic values & principles. Full EDAP https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=COM:2020:790:FIN&from=EN