Věra Jourová, the European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, has raised concerns about the potential loss of key personnel who work to curb disinformation on Twitter. Speaking at conferences held in Brussels focused on battling misinformation, she cautioned that recent layoffs could undermine efforts to counter deliberate falsehoods and propaganda across digital platforms in Europe. Her remarks emphasized the importance of retaining skilled professionals who can design and implement effective measures against the rapid spread of inaccurate or distorted information online.
According to Jourová, qualified experts are essential for enforcing robust responses to disinformation. The European Commission continues to push for practical tools, stronger policies, and proactive strategies that help platforms identify deceptive content and reduce its reach. She stressed that protecting democratic processes requires a steady cadre of specialists who understand the mechanisms of manipulation and know how to counter them with transparent, evidence-based approaches.
Her comments were informed by recent travels to Ukraine and the Baltic states, where she observed how social networks are used to influence public opinion. The EU official noted that social platforms should intensify their collaboration to detect and interrupt disinformation campaigns, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. This involves closer cooperation with national authorities, researchers, and civil society groups to map misinformation trends and deploy timely interventions that limit harm to citizens and democratic institutions.
Previously, Jourová highlighted that the European Commission has advanced a policy package aimed at safeguarding democracy from foreign influence operations. The proposed measures seek to strengthen transparency, accountability, and resilience in online ecosystems while ensuring that responses to disinformation respect fundamental rights. The ongoing work includes assessing platform practices, supporting media literacy programs, and enhancing cross-border coordination to address misinformation campaigns that transcend national borders. The goal is to create a cohesive EU framework that can be mirrored by allied partners while remaining grounded in democratic norms and the rule of law.