Project Proposal
Seeking project coordinator and partners to develop tools against misinformation with the protection and respect of freedom of expression
Can act as:
Seeking expertise:
KNEIA is seeking a project coordinator and partners to participate in the DISINFOWATCH project to develop innovative strategies, tools, and policy recommendations that effectively balance the fight against misinformation and disinformation with the protection and respect of freedom of expression and academic freedom in the EU, enhancing democratic resilience and informed public discourse.
TOPIC “HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-09: Balancing the fight against disinformation and the right to freedom of expression” indicates: “Misinformation and disinformation can thwart political and societal responses to external challenges, such as climate change, public health, or migration. Solutions to such challenges, to be successful, must be based on evidence. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that involves the right to hold and express one's opinions, as well as the right to receive and impart information and ideas, without prior authorization (censorship) or other forms of interference from the government or any other form of public authority. Therefore, freedom of expression is crucial to democracy and a key value of the European project, and it is closely linked to the role of the independent (news) media, a key pillar for checks and balances in a democratic system. Proposals should investigate how the functioning of the media systems (in particular the data-driven information systems, that use data as a core component of their operation, decision-making processes, and overall functionality) favours disinformation, including gendered disinformation and anti LGBTIQ+ rhetoric, by creating an optimal environment for its creation, diffusion and proliferation. Proposals are encouraged to look into the market incentives for media that promote mis- and disinformation, such as decline in viewers and incentives to focus on content that promotes engagement over factuality. This trend is driven by the need to catch audience attention in a competitive media landscape, which often prioritizes sensationalism and emotional reactions over accuracy.”
The outcomes of the project research will contribute to strengthening democratic resilience by equipping EU institutions, national decision-makers, media practitioners, and civil society with evidence-based strategies to counter misinformation, disinformation, and astroturfing while safeguarding freedom of expression, media pluralism, and citizens’ access to trustworthy information.
If you are interested, please contact Ciro Avolio ([email protected])