The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) welcomes the launch, on September the 29th, of the pilot phase of the Stakeholder Platform by the European Centre for Democratic Resilience and is honoured to contribute to this important initiative.

The Platform will become a key structure for raising situational awareness and fostering preparedness against foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and disinformation campaigns, thereby supporting  the goals of the European Union Democracy Shield. By connecting national operational capacities with EU-level coordination, it will strengthen the ability to anticipate, detect and respond to emerging threats, while supporting rapid response and escalation mechanisms.

The meaningful involvement of civil society – including fact-checkers, researchers, media organisations and media literacy practitioners – will be essential. This cooperation must fully respect their independence and editorial autonomy, which are fundamental to maintaining public trust and democratic mobilisation.

“EDMO stands ready to bring its field expertise and its European network to this effort, helping turn shared knowledge into practical resilience at local and national level,” said Paolo Cesarini, Chair of the EDMO Executive Board.

Together with the European Fact-Checking Statndard Network (EFCSN), EDMO is prepared to pilot-test the Platform, drawing on the capabilities of its national and regional hubs to monitor and analyse the information space and to disseminate knowledge through targeted resilience-building activities. “Our contribution will be guided by the principles of independence, integrity, transparency, neutrality, pluralism, inclusion and scientific rigour that underpin the whole EDMO Network” Paolo Cesarini added.

The pilot phase is an important step. Its longer-term success, however, will also depend on sustainable support. The upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework must provide the resources necessary to ensure that Europe’s growing capacity to build democratic resilience can be sustained over the long term.