Disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference are a serious threat to societies. They can undermine democratic institutions and processes (such as elections) by preventing people from making informed decisions or discouraging them from voting. And they can polarise societies by pitting communities against each other.
New technologies have made it possible for hostile actors to spread disinformation and to manipulate information at a scale and with a speed never seen before.
Therefore, tackling disinformation and information manipulation is one of the most pressing issues for the European Union and its Member States.
Source: https://commission.europa.eu/topics/countering-information-manipulation_en