The High-Level Expert Group appointed to advise the European Commission on how to tackle the spread of online disinformation will meet for the first time next Monday, 15 January. The High-Level Expert Group will contribute to the development of an EU-level strategy on how to tackle this phenomenon, to be presented in spring 2018.
Following the Commission’s call for application last November, the Commission received over 300 applications for the group. The experts will advise the Commission on scoping the phenomenon, defining the roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders, grasping the international dimension, taking stock of the positions at stake, and formulating recommendations.
The selection of members ensures a wide participation of expertise, a balanced geographical representation, gender balance, and a balanced view of both social media platforms and media organisations, civil society organisation and experts such as journalists and academia. The final list of participants can be found here.
Mandated by President Juncker, Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel launched the initiative in November 2017 together with a public consultation open until 23 February. On Monday 15 January, she will hold a press point at 11:00 which can be followed live on EbS.
In establishing the group, the Commission has worked closely with the EEAS East Stratcom Task Force, which was set up by the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini in 2015 to address disinformation activities by external actors. You can find more information about the High-Level Expert Group’s work here, as well as in a press release and in Commissioner Gabriel’s speech.
