This is the nail in the coffin of freedom in Europe. We're on our way to a dictatorship. Of course no mention of this development in the "free"' MSM. Next steps against fake news: High-Level Expert Group to tackle disinformation meets for the first time [updated on 12/01/2018 at 15:50] As announced in November 2017, the High-Level Expert Group appointed to advise the European Commission on how to tackle the spread of online disinformation will meet for the first time next Monday 15 January at 10:00. The High-Level Expert Group will contribute to the development of an EU-level strategy on how to tackle this phenomenon, to be presented in spring 2018. Following the Commission's call for application last November, the Commission received over 300 applications for the group. The experts will advise the Commission on scoping the phenomenon, defining the roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders, grasping the international dimension, taking stock of the positions at stake, and formulating recommendations. The selection of members ensures a wide participation of expertise, a balanced geographical representation, gender balance, and a balanced view of both social media platforms and media organisations, civil society organisation and experts such as journalists and academia. The procedure has followed the usual rules for selection of expert groups of the Commission. The final list of participants can be found here. Mandated by President Juncker, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel launched the initiative in November 2017 together with a public consultation open until 23 February. On Monday 15 January, the Commissioner will hold a press point at 11:00 with the Chair of the group, Prof. Dr. Madeleine de Cock Buning from Utrecht University, specialised in Intellectual Property, Copyright and Media and Communication Law. The press point can be followed live on EbS. In establishing the group, the Commission has worked closely with the EEAS East Stratcom Task Force, which was set up by the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini in 2015 to address disinformation activities by external actors. You can find more information about the High-Level Expert Group's work here, as well as in a press release and in Commissioner Gabriel's speech.
It's very illuminating that they don't think letting the marketplace of ideas sort this out is the best option. You know, like civilized countries have done for the past few hundred years.