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The European Commission's Horizon Europe Programme has announced a call titled "Balancing the fight against disinformation and the right to freedom of expression" under the 'Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society' cluster for 2025. This initiative seeks to address the complex interplay between combating disinformation and upholding fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and academic freedom. The call encourages research into how media systems, particularly data-driven platforms, may facilitate the spread of disinformation, including gendered and anti-LGBTQ+ narratives. It also aims to explore regulatory measures that counter disinformation while respecting citizens' rights and preserving independent, pluralistic media landscapes. Proposals should focus on developing trust indicators and distinguishing between factual content and opinion on digital platforms to aid citizens in identifying credible information. Collaboration with media organizations and practitioners is emphasized to pilot innovative solutions and theoretical models. Additionally, the call highlights the importance of understanding phenomena like astroturfing, where orchestrated campaigns mimic grassroots movements to spread misleading content. The initiative encourages the involvement of a diverse range of stakeholders, including public bodies, policymakers, NGOs, educational institutions, and cultural heritage organizations, to ensure comprehensive and inclusive research outcomes. Ultimately, the goal is to equip EU institutions, national decision-makers, and civil society with effective tools and policy recommendations to combat disinformation without compromising democratic freedoms.
Opening: 15 May 2025
Deadline(s): 16 Sep 2025
Expected Outcome
Projects funded under this call are expected to:
- Equip EU institutions, national decision-makers, practitioners, and civil society organizations to effectively confront and prevent misinformation and disinformation while respecting freedom of expression and academic freedom.
- Enhance understanding of actors opposing anti-disinformation policies, including the drivers behind their narratives, enabling better engagement strategies.
- Provide insights into how digital media shapes public opinion and offer regulatory approaches that protect citizens' rights to information, media freedom, privacy, and protection from harm.
- Increase knowledge among media, education, and security practitioners about tools and legal remedies to counteract narratives opposing anti-disinformation initiatives.
- Clarify the roles of independent media and media dissemination hubs in facilitating access to professionally produced content.
- Develop tools and policy recommendations to recognize and counter astroturfing in spreading misinformation.
- Provide educational materials to design and implement initiatives combating misinformation without compromising freedom of expression.
Scope
The call focuses on investigating how media systems, especially data-driven platforms, contribute to the creation and dissemination of disinformation, including gendered and anti-LGBTQ+ narratives. It aims to develop regulatory measures that counter disinformation while upholding fundamental rights, design trust indicators to help citizens discern credible information, and understand the role of professional mediators and media dissemination hubs in shaping public discourse. The call also seeks to explore phenomena like astroturfing and develop educational materials to combat misinformation without harming freedom of expression.