EU policy analysis: Protecting democracy

August 1, 2025

Young female reporter with microphone on city street during live broadcast — Image: © NineLives | iStock

Open Access Government examines the priorities of the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology regarding its protecting democracy policy, including a focus on media freedom and pluralism

Connect develops and implements European Commission policies related to the digital economy, plus research and innovation, aiming to prepare Europe for the digital age through environmentally friendly technologies that enhance economic growth and quality of life.

Connect emphasises a human-centric approach to digital transformation, advocating for democratic values, cultural diversity, and fundamental rights. Key leaders include Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Director-General Roberto Viola. ⁽¹⁾

As Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen works to address complex security threats in the EU, enhance external borders and internal security, and reinforce freedoms, democracy and justice. ⁽²⁾ This editorial will delve into the crucial issue of democracy, examining how it is reflected and shaped in the policies of the European Commission.

The Defence of Democracy

In a thriving and healthy democracy, citizens should be free to express their views, choose their political leaders, and actively participate in shaping their future. However, democracy in the EU faces several challenges, including rising extremism, election interference, threats against journalists, and the spread of manipulative information.

The European Commission believes that citizens must be able to make electoral choices in a public space where diverse viewpoints can be expressed freely. The free media, academia, and civil society all play crucial roles in fostering open debate without interference from foreign or domestic sources. To address these issues, the EU introduced the European Democracy Action Plan in 2020. Building on this initiative, the Commission presented the Defence of Democracy package on December 12, 2023.

The Defence of Democracy package includes:

A communication reviewing the achievements under the European Democracy Action Plan.
A legislative proposal to establish common standards for transparency and accountability in interest representation activities that seek to influence the EU decision-making process on behalf of third countries.
A recommendation to promote fair, free, and resilient elections.
A recommendation to encourage participation from civil society organisations and citizens in policy-making.

These common transparency standards aim to protect Europe’s democratic sphere by promoting institutional trust and safeguarding open public debate from covert interference. The objective is to achieve these goals while respecting fundamental rights and democratic values through proportionate policy intervention.

EU policy: Media freedom and pluralism

Media freedom and pluralism are essential components of EU democracies, enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Free and pluralistic media are crucial for holding those in power accountable and enabling citizens to make informed decisions. By providing reliable information, independent media play a vital role in combating disinformation and facilitating democratic debate. Improving the safety of journalists, protecting them from abusive litigation, and enhancing media pluralism have been top priorities for EU action in this area.

The European Media Freedom Act came into effect in May 2024, aiming to protect media pluralism and independence within the EU. The Act ensures that public and private media can operate more easily across borders within the EU internal market, free from undue pressure. It also addresses the digital transformation of the media landscape and establishes better cooperation between media authorities by creating a new European Board for Media Services. The full implementation of these rules is scheduled for August 8, 2025.

In 2022, the Commission proposed new initiatives to enhance the protection of journalists and human rights defenders from abusive court proceedings known as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). This Directive, which took effect in May 2024, targets SLAPPs in civil matters with cross-border implications. It empowers judges to quickly dismiss unfounded lawsuits against journalists and human rights defenders. Additionally, it introduces procedural safeguards and remedies, including compensation for damages and penalties to deter the initiation of abusive lawsuits.

The Commission also adopted a complementary Recommendation urging Member States to align their domestic rules with EU legislation for all proceedings, not just civil matters. This Recommendation calls on Member States to implement various measures, such as training and awareness-raising initiatives to combat SLAPPs.

In 2021, the Commission issued a Recommendation to strengthen the safety of journalists and other media professionals. Among its provisions, it calls for the establishment of independent national support services, including legal assistance, helplines, psychological support, and shelters for journalists facing threats. It also emphasises the importance of increased protection for journalists during demonstrations, enhanced online
safety, and specific support for female journalists.

Countering disinformation, information manipulation, and foreign interference

Ensuring the protection of Europe’s democracies from disinformation, information manipulation, and foreign interference has become a key priority for the EU in recent years. Democracies worldwide, we hear, face an increase in disinformation and foreign interference operations, which can destabilise democratic institutions and deepen societal divisions, ultimately undermining citizens’ trust. The rapid rise of digitalisation complicates this situation, enabling the swift dissemination of disinformation.

Under the European Democracy Action Plan, the EU has intensified its efforts to address this evolving threat landscape domestically and internationally. This initiative builds on existing EU work and is firmly rooted in European principles and values, safeguarding freedom of expression and the right to access legitimate content.

Key actions in this area include:

Strengthened cooperation and coordination among EU networks to respond to the increasing wave of disinformation campaigns.
A reinforced EU toolbox to combat foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).
Ensuring greater accountability for online platforms to prevent the spread of disinformation through an enhanced Code of Practice on Disinformation, aligned with the EU’s Digital Services Act.

Closing remarks on EU democracy policy

Strengthening the connections between citizens and their democratic institutions is crucial for democratic resilience. Creating a civic space for citizen and civil society engagement in policy-making is essential, both during elections and beyond, as noted by the European Commission.

The European Democracy Action Plan highlights the need for enhanced citizen engagement, with insights from the Conference on the Future of Europe leading to the inclusion of European Citizens Panels in the policymaking process. (3) We wish the 2024-2029 Commission success in advancing democracy policy for the future.