A Day of Debate, Dialogue and Consensus

The delegates of the LIBE committee have been debating today the various issues Europe faces regarding disinformation and misinformation, ultimately drafting some clauses after an intense dialogue, understanding the terms, and listening to the opinions of other delegates. The clauses they drafted after the debate reflect an effort to create clear and effective policies to tackle this complex issue while respecting democratic values and fundamental rights. These problems are crucial in the current context, where false information can affect public perception, democratic processes, and social stability.

The debate began with the clarification of key concepts, such as disinformation (false information spread with the intention to manipulate) and misinformation (false information spread without the intention to deceive). This distinction is essential in shaping policies that do not infringe upon freedom of expression while addressing the harm both phenomena can cause.

The LIBE committee also addressed how disinformation can influence elections, manipulate public opinion, and weaken trust in democratic institutions. The need to protect electoral processes from external influence or false information is a central point. They also discussed the role of social media and tech platforms in the spread of false information. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X), YouTube, and others have been responsible for disseminating misleading news, and the committee also debated the need for regulation or measures to hold tech companies accountable.

Additionally, they discussed at length the issue of algorithms and how they influence the information shared, also addressing artificial intelligence and its potential role in reflecting or amplifying polarization.

And although they debated in an educated manner, in some cases, they did not agree with each other, which made the debate more enriching with different opinions. Even though at times they couldn't reach a consensus, many of them were able to change their minds after listening to what was being said.

At first, the delegates, as is normal, didn't participate much, trying to hide behind their embarrassment and hoping that others would bring up topics. However, considering the support they received from their committee colleagues, especially emotionally, they started participating more, becoming less fearful of the presidents and their peers, who might have initially seemed intimidating. This made them feel more confident to express their opinions, even showing how the culture of each country influences those opinions.

They have reached several solutions after an intense exchange of ideas, all of which were voted in favor by everyone. These solutions include some measures that have already been implemented by other countries and have proven successful, such as the NETZDG, which removes false information within 24 hours. They also discussed how to regulate the use of AI through a verification system, with humans verifying information.

Additionally, due to the lack of education on these types of deceptions, the delegates proposed institutions to teach young people how to identify fake news. Another issue that was addressed and resolved was the attack on fundamental rights. They reached the conclusion that privacy should be protected by requiring major participants to register with an ID, as well as the average user.

With this, the delegates of the LIBE committee have started strong and eager to express everything they have learned beforehand and what they are learning as they debate. They closed the first day of committee grouping with 7 clauses, which were heavily discussed but ultimately reached a consensus.