Europe’s media battles sophisticated disinformation attacks

European media outlets are facing an intensifying battle against disinformation and foreign interference, threats that have grown increasingly sophisticated since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Speaking at WEXFO 2025, Paolo Cesarini, chair of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) executive board, warned that the continent’s democracies are under sustained hybrid assault. He cited a 2022 European Parliament report naming Russia and China as key sources of destabilising tactics, including disinformation, covert funding and espionage – all designed to weaken democratic institutions from within.

Public concern over these threats is high. A Eurobarometer survey found that 81% of EU citizens now view disinformation and foreign meddling as serious problems, especially during election periods. That widespread anxiety prompted coordinated efforts among EU institutions, national governments and independent media to safeguard the 2024 European Parliament elections. The strategy appears to have worked: the elections saw the highest turnout in 20 years, with relatively little disruption from false information campaigns.

A large part of that success came from the groundwork laid by fact-checkers, civil society groups and media watchdogs. EDMO played a key role in identifying false narratives and ensuring swift responses. The Rapid Response Mechanism – part of the EU’s Code of Practice on Disinformation – enabled real-time warnings to platforms before lies could spread widely. These defences were not just reactive but preventive, reinforcing the central role of journalism in protecting the democratic process.

While the election passed without major incident, the broader war over public perception continues. Foreign-backed influence operations have become more subtle and targeted, focusing on divisive topics such as immigration, climate change and inflation – issues that cut differently across national contexts. These long-tail campaigns may not go viral, but they quietly erode trust and alter the public conversation. Their persistence calls for continuous vigilance and deeper, more precise reporting.

The challenge for journalists is growing more complex, shaped by three overlapping dynamics. First is the rise of geopolitical manipulation. Campaigns like “Doppelgänger”, in which fake news sites mimicked legitimate European publications to spread Kremlin-friendly stories, show how attackers are now impersonating journalism itself. These efforts undermine public confidence and demand that newsrooms improve digital defences to protect their identity.

Second is the acceleration of generative AI, which has made it easier to produce convincing fake content at scale. During recent elections in Germany, AI was used to create more than 100 fake websites pushing coordinated falsehoods. What once required significant resources can now be done quickly and cheaply, and the sheer volume makes detection harder.

Third is the increasing blur between domestic and foreign actors. In Romania, local political candidates spread manipulated narratives via social media, amplified by bots and algorithmic tricks. As these tactics evolve, journalists must rethink how they interpret popularity online: what looks like organic momentum may in fact be manufactured.

This shifting threat landscape demands more than legal reform. While legislation such as the Digital Services Act and the AI Act mark important progress, newsroom resilience will depend just as much on industry-led innovation. That includes stable funding for fact-checking teams, development of AI-assisted verification tools and better digital security training for journalists.

Countering disinformation is not just about correcting falsehoods – it’s about offering credible alternatives that the public can believe in.

Source: Noah Wire Services