ERGA provides recommendations for the new Code

ERGA proposes a set of clear and practical recommendations for the new Code of Practice on Disinformation that should help overcome the shortcomings of the original Code. On several occasions, ERGA has identified and described in detail the shortcomings related to the insufficient transparency and access to data, as well as other areas. The ten recommendations set out in this latest ERGA report are being published at a time when the signatories are drafting the new Code and it seeks to help them address these issues during the drafting process.

Building on its experiences with monitoring of the implementation of the Code of Practice and of COVID-19-related disinformation, these recommendations specify ERGA’s opinion and deliver concise guidance for the future Code specifically in the areas of standardization of the platforms’ reports, data access for independent regulators and researchers as well as stronger involvement of national regulators in a clearly defined monitoring process.

ERGA believes this report and its ten recommendations should contribute to the strengthening of the Code of Practice as envisaged in the European Democracy Action Plan and detailed further in the European Commission’s Guidance on Strengthening the Code.

“ERGA has gathered a lot of experience and expertise during the monitoring of the implementation of the Code of Practice. We, therefore, believe our recommendations can help the signatories in the drafting process to make the Code of Practice an effective tool to address this complex phenomenon”, stressed Ľuboš Kukliš, Chief Executive of the Slovak Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission, who is leading ERGA’s work on disinformation.

Tobias Schmid, Chair of ERGA, adds: “ERGA put a lot of effort into identifying the shortcomings of the Code of Practice. However, sufficient reactions by platforms failed to materialise. Now is the time to give regulators a stronger role in monitoring the commitments enshrined in the Code.”

The report “ERGA Recommendations for the new Code of Practice on disinformation” can be downloaded here.

About ERGA:

The European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA) consists of the national regulatory authorities in the field of audiovisual media services. ERGA advises the European Commission and facilitates cooperation between the regulatory bodies in the EU. Dr Tobias Schmid, Director of the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia, is the current Chairperson of ERGA.