CEE Democracy Watch (CEEDDW) contributed to the European Commission’s consultation on the European Democracy Shield, drawing on analysis and recommendations from two recent reports: “Demonetisation of Anti-Democratic and Extreme Content” and “Protecting Digital Civic Space in the EU”.
These reports collectively analyse the evolving threats to democracy posed by disinformation, foreign interference, and emerging digital risks. They underscore the importance and challenges of strong enforcement of the European Union’s existing digital regulatory framework — covering the Digital Services Act, transparency requirements for political advertising, and measures ensuring information integrity.
While new areas of digital policy merit attention, CEEDDW’s primary recommendation is to ensure the full, effective implementation of the existing regulatory framework. Building on this solid foundation, the European Democracy Shield should specifically target:
- Tackling the monetisation strategies that incentivise the spread of extreme or anti-democratic content.
- Strengthening language-specific moderation and transparency for both content creators and paid influencers.
- Enhancing funding and support for civil society and independent journalism operating within the civic sphere.
- Addressing the risks and challenges generated by AI, automation, and mass-produced digital content.
- Providing clear, practical mechanisms to reinforce cooperation between EU-level and national regulators.
By executing robust enforcement of current regulations and addressing new areas of risk, the European Democracy Shield can provide lasting, future-proof protection for the integrity of democratic processes and the digital civic space throughout the EU. We will continue to be engaged in the consultation process.