Comparative Analysis of Disinformation Regulations: A Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

The spread of Fake News poses a significant threat to democracy and public discourse. Instances of disinformation have had serious consequences, such as undermining election integrity and reducing vaccine trust over the recent years. Moreover, terminological variations and digital neologisms hinder consensus among scholars. The Internet proliferation has intensified the challenge of managing false content, demanding technological tools and regulations. This study explores the complexities of Fake News and the need for regulatory measures. A comparative law methodology is used to analyze international and European regulations concerning Fake News. Social media policies and reporting methods are also investigated, aiming to find ways to combat misinformation effectively. On the one hand, a fragmented regulatory framework both at a European and International level is revealed. To cope with this scenario, a multilingual ontology to harmonize definitions and facilitate compliance is proposed. On the other hand, the crucial role of Social Media policies, their algorithms’ transparency, and educating roles are considered. This leads to the need for an enhanced regulation of social media, educational initiatives of digital media literacy, and AI-driven news apps to provide trusted sources and manage misinformation in a better way.