According to a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation, published on Thursday and cited by the EFE and Agerpres agencies, 85% of EU citizens demand more active action from the political authorities against the spread of misinformation on the Internet.

TikTok, one of the platforms accused of spreading misinformationPhoto: Michael Dwyer/Associated Press/Profimedia Images

At the same time, 89% demand more commitment from those in charge of internet platforms to combat disinformation. According to a press release from the German foundation, the desire to do more against disinformation is accompanied by great uncertainty about the veracity of information spread on the Internet.

Among those surveyed, 54% claim that they often doubt the veracity of content on the Internet, and 39% have identified specific cases of misinformation.

“Reliable information is the basis for opinion formation and therefore the basis of democratic debate,” said study leader Kai Unzicker.

“In Europe, people are very uncertain about which digital content is reliable and which is being deliberately manipulated. Whoever wants to strengthen democracy cannot leave citizens alone in the fight against disinformation,” he added.

Less than half of EU citizens check the information they read online

The press release states that the data clearly shows the need for action, as less than half of the people surveyed – 44% – checked the information they receive online, and only 22% reported false information they found or warned other people in contact with her.

Well-educated young people are more willing to check information, but Anziker warns that “the ability to recognize and report false information may not depend on age or level of education.”

The study also shows that the more channels people use, the more likely they are to detect false information. Twitter and Telegram users, in particular, register and report false information with some frequency.

Earlier this year, Twitter unblocked tens of thousands of accounts suspended for spreading misinformation and other reasons. This decision was made after the platform was acquired by South African billionaire Elon Musk.

Regarding the influence of networks on democracy, the positions are divided: 30% see mainly disadvantages and 28% believe that the advantages outweigh, and 42% see both advantages and disadvantages.