Europe after coronavirus

Brexit and the election of Trump in 2016 situated disinformation as a priority in the global and particularly the European political agenda. Even though disinformation is not a new phenomenon, its volume has skyrocketed in recent years. This podcast discusses how can we explain the rise of disinformation in recent years, who spreads it (& why), and what can we do about it.

Show Notes

The COVID-19 health crisis has been followed by an infodemic, in which disinformation related to the virus has spread across the world. Even though disinformation is not a new phenomenon, its volume has skyrocketed in recent years.  

This episode discusses first how can we explain that and why does it matter for democracy. Disinformation disrupts the functioning of the public sphere, encouraging chaos and confusion in citizens’ minds.  

Second, the episode discusses which actors spread disinformation and with what objectives. It addresses the role of the media and journalists, social media platforms, companies such as Cambridge Analytica and foreign authoritarian actors. Finally, it discusses what can academia, policy-makers, journalists, civil society do to counter disinformation effectively. 

Listen to the debate with: 

Jorge Tuñón is a lecturer in Journalism and Communication at the University Carlos III of Madrid, and coordinates the Jean Monnet Chair "EU, disinformation and Fake News". 

Nad'a Kovalcikova is Program Manager and Fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD) in the German Marshall Fund's Brussels office, specialised in disinformation and transatlantic security challenges. 

Emma Briant is Associate Researcher in Human Rights at Bard College, New York, is author of the book 'Propaganda and Counter-terrorism: Strategies for Global Change', and coordinator of the Women in Disinfo community

Moderation: Carlos Carnicero Urabayen

Technical production and edition: Franco Delle Donne

An OpenEUpodcast produced by Agenda Pública

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What is Europe after coronavirus?

A series of ten podcasts by the Jean Monnet OpenEUdebate network. Each podcast features debates among experts from academia, civil society and politics on the effect of the pandemic on different scenarios for the future of the European Union.

This podcast series has been made with the financial support of the European Union Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). The podcasts only reflect the views of the speakers and the Commission and the Agency cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.