By Ekaterina Janashia | 2025-11-25

The European Union (EU) has pledged to confront what it calls a growing "battle of influence against Europe," warning that authoritarian regimes, especially Russia, are working to sow mistrust and interfere in democratic processes.

The move is part of a broader acknowledgment that foreign information manipulation and interference, or FIMI, increasingly exploits political divisions and strains institutions across the bloc.

"The European Democracy Shield will reinforce the core elements that allow citizens to live our shared democratic values every day -- free speech, independent media, resilient institutions and a vibrant civil society," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said November 11.

New tools to counter interference

The EU unveiled its policy package -- the European Democracy Shield -- on November 12. The plan aims to curb foreign interference and slow the spread of online disinformation.

"The Democracy Package will serve as our roadmap to confront the evolving challenges our democracies face, and to support all those who uphold them," said Michael McGrath, commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection.

The set of measures includes new funding to strengthen independent media and protect the EU's information environment. It accompanies additional efforts to support journalists and ensure transparency in media ownership.

"Disinformation, algorithmic manipulation, financial pressure on media and AI tools now threaten our democratic way of being," McGrath told reporters November 12.

He said "authoritarian regimes are using hybrid tactics, attacking infrastructure, exploiting migration, manipulating information, deploying criminal networks and interfering in our electoral processes."

International media organizations have pressed Brussels to go even further.

"It's time to take back control of the online space, ensuring the algorithms of social media platforms and AI assistants are designed to uphold democratic guarantees by promoting trustworthy news sources," Reporters Without Borders Director-General Thibaut Bruttin said November 12.

EU sharpens accusations against Russia

A confidential draft obtained by AFP on November 10 shows the European Commission accusing Moscow of waging an "information war" inside the EU. The document says Russia aims "to erode trust in democratic systems" through large-scale disinformation and the "falsification of historical facts."

"We see campaigns -- including by Russia -- specifically designed to polarize our citizens, undermine trust in our institutions and pollute politics in our countries," said Kaja Kallas, high representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and a Commission vice president, on November 11.

She said the new Democracy Shield is Europe's answer to protect "free media, fact-based debate and fair elections. If we want democracy to prevail, we have to defend it better."

Strengthening media independence

A core part of the package is support for independent journalism. A new Media Resilience Program will expand financial assistance for independent and local outlets, aiming to improve sustainability and reduce exposure to malign foreign influence.

The Commission will also update its Recommendation on the Safety of Journalists and increase efforts to curb abusive lawsuits aimed at silencing critical coverage. Under the European Media Freedom Act, media outlets must disclose ownership structures -- including any direct or indirect state ownership -- to help the public understand who controls the news.

"Our proposals are about more than defense -- they are about empowerment," Henna Virkkunen, executive vice president for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said November 11. "We want every citizen, every association, every voice to know that Europe stands with them. A confident, open, and resilient democracy is the best answer to those who seek to divide or weaken us."

New center to coordinate FIMI response

The Commission will create the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, a hub to gather EU and national expertise to anticipate, detect and respond to FIMI threats. The center will coordinate with the European External Action Service's Rapid Alert System and support information sharing across member states.

EU experts will also work with signatories of the Code of Conduct on Disinformation on a Digital Services Act crisis protocol, designed to enable swift, coordinated responses to large-scale or cross-border manipulation.

By bolstering media protections, establishing clearer ownership rules and creating a unified mechanism to counter interference, the EU aims to strengthen its broader societal resilience.

"Authoritarian regimes seek to exploit divisions, sow mistrust, and restrict democratic actors such as free media and civil society," the Commission said November 12, calling the new measures a necessary answer to protect the democratic foundations of the Union.