Michael McGrath will chair the “very first” meeting today towards the establishment of an EU ‘Democracy Shield’, a key pet project of Ireland’s European Commissioner, and President von der Leyen.
The European Democracy Shield will “counter foreign information manipulation and interference online, by detecting, analysing and proactively countering disinformation and information manipulation as well as hybrid threats”, according to the European Commission.
It is expected to require a raft of new and updated EU laws.
And the centre-right European People’s Party say that it will entail “pilot projects, to tackle disinformation in all Member States.”
Michael McGrath discussed the proposals with Europe ministers yesterday. He is expected to take their comments on board as his work gets underway.
“It’s a priority for us given the threats that we face to our democratic systems in the European Union”, Michael McGrath said.
As European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath has been tasked with leading the ‘European democracy shield’ project.
Originally proposed by President von der Leyen, it aims to enhance information integrity and counter disinformation campaigns, particularly those fuelled by generative AI.
Michael McGrath’s responsibilities include coordinating EU action against foreign interference, protecting electoral integrity, and advancing media freedom through legislation.
All these are elements of the Democracy Shield.
He will have to navigate a deal between corporate interests and the ambitions of European governments in the digital realm.
The European Parliament has set up a Special Committee to scrutinise his work on the Shield.
The EU believes the initiative is crucial to upholding human rights and freedom of expression.
The European Union is projecting itself as the leader in global digital governance in the face of challenges posed by authoritarian regimes and emerging technologies. The Democracy Shield has been pitched as central thrust to maintaining the integrity of democratic processes across Europe.