Factcheckers will be central to new European Commission plans to safeguard democracy under the EU’s Democracy Shield, according to Commissioner Michael McGrath. Speaking at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), McGrath outlined the Commission’s efforts to build resilience against disinformation.
McGrath, who became EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection in December 2024 under Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership, described a broad agenda to uphold democratic values, enforce the rule of law, and strengthen citizens’ rights. A key element of this agenda is the development of a European network of fact-checkers operating across all official EU languages.
He described factcheckers as playing “a crucial role in verifying information and countering disinformation”, adding that the initiative will empower citizens with accurate information.
“But let me be clear,” McGrath said. “Defending facts is not censorship. The right to freedom of expression does not apply to incitement or to hate speech, fake accounts or bots or trolls, nor does it apply to deliberate attempts sponsored by hostile actors to influence political debates and elections.”
His comments reinforce the Commission’s broader stance that tackling disinformation is a democratic imperative, not a threat to free speech. The Democracy Shield initiative is expected to provide coordinated support across Member States to counter foreign interference, amplify trusted sources, and protect the integrity of public discourse.
Read the full report on his comments at TheJournal.
