EPD is hosting a workshop and a conference in Brussels, to discuss ways to guarantee transparency in digital political advertising. This is a topic that has received a fair amount of attention in recent years, specifically because of its role and impact in the Brexit referendum and the US presidential election in 2016, but in other elections as well. The tension between the integrity of electoral systems and a vastly unregulated digital sphere has arguably become an inherent danger to democracies worldwide.
It is essential to keep the conversation going by evaluating the methods taken so far to tackle this issue, and put forward new proposals on how to move forward. EPD has been overseeing research conducted in three countries, the Czech Republic, Italy and the Netherlands, monitoring the level to which tech platforms comply with the Code of Practice against disinformation on matters related to digital political advertising – bringing new conclusions to light.
The workshop (13 November 2019, 13:00-17:00) will serve to have an interactive discussion on digital political advertising, with the following objectives: a) to present and discuss research findings on digital political advertising during the EP campaign; b) identify the main achievements and shortcomings of the Code of Practice against Disinformation; and c) discuss concrete policy proposals for the announced European Union level legislation on digital political advertising. Former President of Slovenia, Danilo Türk will provide introductory remarks.
The conference (14 November 2019, 09:00-13:00) will bring together researchers, civil society representatives and policy makers to discuss the need for transparency in digital political advertising. Commissioner Jourova will give the keynote speech, after which a panel of EU policy-makers will discuss the Code of Practice against Disinformation, the Electoral Package and future regulatory solutions to ensure the transparency of digital political advertising.
Please use this form to register for the conference on 14 November, and email [email protected] or [email protected] to request your participation in the workshop on 13 November.
