Source: European Parliament
Since 2021, the beginning of the current Multiannual Financial Framework, the Commission has provided support to five organisations (Agence France Presse; Agencia EFE SAU, S.M.E.; Asociación Maldita contra la Desinformación, Periodismo, Educación, Investigación y Datos en Nuevos Formatos; Associació Verificat; Newtral) that are relevant to the request of the Honourable Member, domiciled or headquartered in Spain and that meet the criteria to be considered fact-checking organisations according to the European Digital Media Observatory[1]. The information regarding EU funding is public[2][3].
As stated in the recent Commission Opinion on the assessment of the Code of Practice on Disinformation[4], independent, impartial fact-checking can significantly contribute to identifying and addressing risks linked with the dissemination of disinformation, negative effects on civic discourse and electoral integrity while fully respecting freedom of expression, in line with the Digital Services Act’s[5] objective of creating a safer online space respectful of fundamental rights.
The Commission does not interfere with the independence of fact-checking organisations; candidates are in fact required to demonstrate their independence when applying for funding.
- [1] https://edmo.eu/resources/repositories/fact-checking-organisations-in-the-eu/
- [2] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home
- [3] https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/
- [4] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/code-conduct-disinformation
- [5] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act), https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/digital-services-act-package