Disinformation undermines public debate and erodes the open economy, public health, national security and trust. More than half of the Dutch population consumes news through major online platforms. Platforms currently still take insufficient responsibility for reducing the spread of disinformation. It is important to the government that measures imposed by platforms and national and European legislative proposals do not compromise fundamental rights such as freedom of expression but safeguard them instead. (Disinformation is false, inaccurate or misleading information intentionally created and disseminated to make money or harm a person, social group, organisation or country. Deep fakes are an example of disinformation.)
Goals
- The government stimulates healthy online debate:
- Establish a Cabinet-wide disinformation policy.
- Citizens are familiar with and actively contribute to the creation of disinformation standards.
- The government ensures that online platforms actively put their assurances into practice in the implementation of the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation (EUCoD).
- The government encourages reliable media and independent fact-checkers.
- Additionally, the government:
- Supports public media and institutions in developing their own infrastructure and social media environments to create a more multi-form digital media landscape.
- Encourages and utilises public alternatives to online platforms and services through public institutions that satisfy public values.
Results achieved by 2023
- The DSA has been developed within the context of the EU and clarifies the responsibilities platforms have in combatting criminal and unlawful material spread through their services.
- The major platforms have signed the EUCoD, and it is mandatory. The code aims to reduce the negative impact of deep fakes, increase collaboration between fact-checkers, increase transparency in political advertising, detect botnets and provide the scientific community with better access to data.
- The website isdatechtzo.nl was developed at the behest of BZK as a means of informing visitors about the impact of fake news and how to identify it.
What are our forthcoming actions?
To find out the goals we are setting for the upcoming year to reduce the impact of online disinformation, click here.
Indicators
- The reach of isdatechtzo.nl is increased compared to 2023.
- The number of citizens who participated in a debate regarding norms and behaviour online at pol.is is large enough to have an influence.
- A multi-stakeholder event in 2024 will be held to share the various measures and technologies that help reduce the negative impact of disinformation.
- Availability of Mastodon and Pubhubs pilots as alternative public social media (see priority 2.1 “Safeguard Public values”).
- Pol.is network democracy is developed and pilots are conducted.
- Mastodon pilot completed. Scale up after successful pilot.
