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[1] (December 1, 2016)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthmaoov0001 and id is 1 raw text is: CRS INSIGHT European Union Efforts to Counter Disinformation December 1, 2016 (IN10614) Related Authors Vincent L Morelli Kristin Archick Vincent L. Morelli, Section Research Manager (vmorelli(? rs b o v, 7-805 1) Kristin Archick, Specialist in European Affairs (k rchick0crs bc g, 7-2668) The European Union (EU) is increasingly concerned about the use of propaganda by both state and non-state actors and has sought to devise new strategies to combat disinformation. On November 23, the European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution entitled El Strategi Communicatin to Counter An LET Propaganda by Third Parties. In passing this non-binding resolution (by a vote of 304 to 179, with 208 abstentions), the EP added its support to European Union efforts to counter what Brussels believes are propaganda and disinformation campaigns against the EU and its member states by Russia and non-state actors such as the Islamic State terrorist organization. In adopting the resolution, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed the view that propaganda and disinformation campaigns seek to distort the truth, incite fear, provoke doubt, discredit the EU institutions, divide the EU and its North American partners, and paralyze decision-making. According to the main author of the resolution, MEP Anna Fotyga (from Poland), even the preparation of the text was a target of hostile proaganda. The resolution asserts that the Kremlin employs a wide-range of tools and instruments, such as TV stations, pseudo- news agencies, social media, and Internet trolls, to challenge Europe's democratic values and institutions. The resolution also contends that the Russian government is funding political parties and other organizations within the EU with the intent of undermining support for the EU and condemns Russian backing of anti-EU forces such as extreme-right parties and populist movements. To counter the Russian government's anti-EU efforts and the propaganda of the Islamic State and other radical movements, the MEPs underlined the importance of raising awareness, education, and improving online media and information literacy in the EU and neighboring countries in order to empower citizens to analyze media content critically. Although the use of disinformation-particularly emanating from Moscow-is not new, the EU contends that since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its subsequent role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin has accelerated its efforts to distort information being received throughout Europe. Over the last few years, the Russian government has upgraded its international television news channel (RT), established a new global news agency (Sputnik), and reportedly targeted hundreds of European news outlets in an attempt to spread its disinformation.

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