Posts in category: Newsletter

As accountability takes centre stage, this edition examines mounting pressure on EU institutions and platforms alike: from the Ombudsman’s maladministration finding against the Commission to fresh DSA enforcement actions targeting Meta and X. We also look at how AI tools are raising new safety and governance concerns, how foreign interference is shrinking civic space from Zambia to Alberta, and how monetisation systems continue to fuel disinformation ecosystems. Throughout, a common thread emerges: the gap between regulatory ambition and real-world enforcement remains wide, and closing it requires both strong institutions and an empowered civil society.
We also examine how platform design, monetisation systems, and AI are reshaping information risks, while coordinated influence operations and strategic narratives continue to shape political, geopolitical, and climate debates.

As enforcement moves to the forefront of the fight against disinformation, this edition looks at growing pressure on platforms through legal action, investigations, and national policy responses, highlighting the gap between ambition and implementation.

We also examine how platform design, monetisation systems, and AI are reshaping information risks, while coordinated influence operations and strategic narratives continue to shape political, geopolitical, and climate debates.

As political and informational pressures intensify across Europe, patterns of change are emerging. This edition explores shifting dynamics around elections, accountability and platform power, from developments in Hungary to evolving approaches to enforcement and oversight in the EU. We also examine the growing impact of AI-driven manipulation, coordinated influence operations, and the expanding role of civil society and regulators in defending information integrity.

European courts are beginning to activate the Digital Services Act. This edition looks at key rulings against Meta and X, the growing role of courts and civil society in enforcing platform rules, and new challenges from generative AI, election interference, and climate disinformation.

European courts are beginning to activate the Digital Services Act. This edition looks at key rulings against Meta and X, the growing role of courts and civil society in enforcing platform rules, and new challenges from generative AI, election interference, and climate disinformation.

Enforcement under the DSA is advancing across EU institutions, national courts and regulators, though implementation gaps persist, while civil society remains central to accountability.Meanwhile, AI-driven disinformation is taking new forms, extending far beyond deepfakes into everyday influence, personalised persuasion and synthetic relationships.

This edition focuses on three priorities: securing sustainable EU funding for counter-disinformation work, strengthening enforcement of the Digital Services Act, and tracking new national initiatives across Member States. As civil society faces mounting pressure, the focus shifts from policy design to implementation and long-term resilience.

2026 is starting strong. From global influence campaigns to AI, policy and accountability, this edition curates what matters most, so we can stay informed and face what comes next together.

2026 is starting strong. From global influence campaigns to AI, policy and accountability, this edition curates what matters most, so we can stay informed and face what comes next together.

This edition explores how the global information space is being reshaped by evolving state-backed influence operations, platform integrity failures, and growing political battles over truth and free speech. Furthermore, it examines Russian and Chinese disinformation campaigns across several regions, the role of tech platforms in amplifying misinformation, and the rising impact of climate and crisis-related falsehoods.