Disinformation: Commission welcomes new prospective signatories to the Code of Practice and recommendations for a strong monitoring framework

Today the Commission welcomes 16 additional prospective signatories joining the drafting of the strengthened Code of Practice on Disinformation and the 10 recommendations from the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA) presented yesterday to make it a strong monitoring framework based on the Commission's Guidance. Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, said: “I welcome all new signatories on board. The only way to fight disinformation is to work together: civil society, companies and the regulators. We need a revised Code against disinformation, with a strong monitoring framework based on performance indicators. It is now for the current and prospective signatories to deliver. The only code we will accept is a strong and ambitious code implementing our guidance fully, addressing its current shortcomings.” Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, added: “There is only one way to be effective in fighting disinformation: all parties working together towards this common goal. I commend the new partners joining today: it shows true willingness to engage and take meaningful commitments on themselves. As the DSA negotiations progress rapidly, I look forward to a good cooperation of both existing and new signatories to ensure that the new Code is ready before the new rules are adopted.” ERGA's recommendations, including a detailed analysis of the monthly COVID-19 disinformation Monitoring Programme, will help shape a robust monitoring of the strengthened Code. The Commission expects signatories to build strongly on these recommendations and involve ERGA in the drafting process, in particular related to the monitoring of the Code. The Commission welcomes Twitch, Adobe, Havas, The Bright App, Neeva, Reporters Without Borders, VOST Europe, the Netherlands Organisation for applied scientific research (TNO), Maldita, PagellaPolitica, Demagog, MediaMath, Integral Ad Science, the GARM initiative, Crisp Thinking and Newsback joining the drafting process as new prospective signatories of the Code. This broadened participation will make the new Code of Practice a more effective instrument in fighting disinformation.