Executive summary

• Author: Jordan Hill - Malin Carlberg - Richard Procee - Iva Plasilova - Marion Goubet
• Pages: 3-6

Assessment of th e im plem en tat ion o f t he Code of Pract ice on Disinform at ion

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Dir ect or at e-Gen eral for Comm uni catio ns Net wor ks, Co nten t an d Tech nolog y

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Executive Summary presents key findings and the conclusions of the study

“Assessment of the implementation of the Code of Practice on Disinformation,

SMART 2019/0041”. The study was commissioned by the Directorate-General for

Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT) of the European

Commission and it was carried out by VVA Economics & Policy with the support of

DisinfoLab.

A. Objectives and methodology

The overarching study objective is to support the European Commission’s evaluation

of the Code of Practice’s effectiveness. The assessment focuses on the 13 current

Signatories of the Code of Practice on Disinformation (online platforms and business

associations).

The study analyses the standard terms of service and the specific policies and

tools adopted by the online platforms to implement the commitments of the Code

in the first year of implementation of the Code (October 2018 to October 2019). For this

reason, ongoing efforts made by the Signatories to combat disinformation in light of the

COVID-19 pandemic are not covered.

The study methodology is documented in the Evaluation Plan (Annex 4). The

methodology was designed specifically to be replicable so that it can form the basis for

future assessments.

B. Findings and conclusions

The study’s overall conclusion is that the Code of Practice has produced positive results.

There is a consensus among stakeholders that the Code of Practice is needed. Since

disinformation continues to be a widespread problem, the Code, its aims and activities

are considered to be highly relevant.

Furthermore, stakeholders consulted for the study also agreed that disinformation is a

topic where the EU has an added value and where it should continue to lead and

coordinate action. Despite differences in stakeholder views with regards to the

effectiveness of self-regulation, there is widespread acknowledgement that the

Commission is right in pursuing a dialogue with the social media platforms.

There is also acknowledgement that the Code constitutes a first and crucial step in the

global fight against disinformation. In this sense, the Code shows European leadership

on an issue that is international in nature.

When it comes to effectiveness, the study identifies a range of achievements. Firstly, the

Code has established a common framework under which to agree on and implement

activities to tackle disinformation. In doing this, the Code has set a foundation on which

further activities can be built. Indeed, the Code – and the preparatory activities carried

out before its establishment – has contributed to the debate on disinformation, raised

awareness, and provided guidance to stakeholders (e.g. civil society, policymakers, the

media and publishing sector) and to the Signatories.