On 17 September, the University of Luxembourg was honoured to host a key session as part of the 2024 Meeting of the Heads of State of German-speaking countries. This annual gathering, held in Luxembourg this year, was attended by dignitaries from Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, who were welcomed by the Grand-Ducal couple.
One of the event’s highlights was a dedicated discussion on “fake news” and its far-reaching consequences, led by Prof. Andreas Fickers of the University of Luxembourg, alongside other experts including FDEF Media Law Professor Mark D. Cole. Prof. Cole has produced a large body of research on content regulation also in view of disinformation across media channels, serving on several advisory committees and helping guide the discussion on potential future rules for platforms. The discussion between the Heads of State and the experts tackled the urgent need for societies to address this increasingly relevant challenge for the functioning of our democracies.
“It was a great honour to be able to explain to the Heads of State my viewpoint on why disinformation can qualify as content that needs to be regulated, at least by giving platforms and other intermediaries a framework according to which they can and must moderate content,” commented Prof. Cole.
This was not the first time that Professor Cole has discussed media-related matters with European Heads of State. The professor lent his media law expertise to talks with the German Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, both during a State Visit to Luxembourg in July 2023, as well as alongside fellow members of the German “Zukunftsrat” for Public Service Media in November of the same year.
“The European Union has set a precedence for regulation with the Digital Services Act when it comes to problematic content, but the application of this very recent legal act will show whether it is sufficient or whether more obligations in view of the proliferation of disinformation campaigns are necessary,” Prof. Cole concludes.
Photo credit: © Bundesregierung / Guido Bergmann