Transnational inputs, debates and logics supporting European regulation in the face of the disinformation pandemic

This paper will address, through a mainly (official documents and specialized scientific literature on the topic from 2015 to 2023) critical analysis methodology, the practical implications of communicating the EU and counter-balance foreign hybrid strategies within the current post-pandemic COVID-19 & war disinformation contexts. The target will be internal (member states), but global, as well. It is designed to highlight the theory and practice of EU public diplomacy, communication, and fight against internal and external disinformation. It will provide in depth insights about: Disinformation and Fake News at European level; EU Communication; EU facing hybrid strategies (EU elections, pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine); and the current/future 2030 Horizon Europe context. In detail, it is designed to foster the dialogue between the academic world and policy-makers with a goal of enhancing governance of EU policies. Our research will look at examining and analyzing the different logics or strategies through which the EU faces hybrid disinformative external attacks. Moreover, it aims at promoting innovation on transnational conversations and European Public Debate to strength the European Public Sphere, as a precious tool to counter balance foreign disinformation strategies.