On 28 and 30 April 2025, Javier Espinoza, Europe Executive Editor at The Capitol Forum, former EU Correspondent at the Financial Times, and Visiting Fellow at the Florence School of Transnational Governance, led a two-part seminar organised in collaboration with the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) and the European Media and Information Fund (EMIF). The event was chaired by EDMO Secretary General Paula Gori and hosted at Palazzo Buontalenti, at the European University Institute (EUI). The audience included researchers, journalists, EUI fellows and disinformation experts.

Session 1
The first session explored the complexities of reporting on digital regulation, with a focus on the Digital Services Act (DSA). Espinoza, who covered digital policy from Brussels for the Financial Times during the early stages of the DSA, stressed that regulators are influenced by broader geopolitical contexts and personal visions of society. This, combined with the reluctance of Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) to fully comply, complicates both policymaking and journalism.

In 2017, at the beginning of the discussion around the DSA, journalists had no clear guidelines on covering disinformation, and newsrooms prioritised conflict-driven stories that maximize engagement. Espinoza noted that coverage tends to fixate on headline-worthy elements like EU-imposed fines, overshadowing the broader significance of the regulation.

The session concluded with two insights: on the one hand, the DSA is a valuable tool, but media literacy and transparency are equally important for a healthy information ecosystem. On the other hand, since late 2024, public debate around the DSA has quieted, likely signaling a shift to behind-the-scenes negotiations.

Session 2
The second session built on these themes. Espinoza noted that the internet has become a chaotic space dominated by algorithms that promote disinformation and addictive behavior.

The DSA aims to address these issues by regulating platforms’ responsibilities regarding online content. However, 25 platforms fall under the DSA, yet even with 60 new hires to work on the DSA expected, implementation capacity is limited. The recent removal of the TikTok “Lite” app from the European internal market shows the DSA’s possible impact.

A key concern is the influence of platform owners in shaping public discourse. While the DSA is often perceived as targeting American companies, Espinoza clarified that it applies broadly, and the fact that many affected VLOPs and VLOSE are US-based is circumstantial. Nonetheless, the geopolitical consequences are real, with the current US administration viewing EU regulation as a trade threat.

The discussion turned to public trust and journalism’s evolving role. Espinoza highlighted that audiences now often trust individual journalists over institutions, especially when journalists communicate openly to their readers, making them trustworthy sources of information. In the attention economy, journalists are competing with AI-generated content and influencers, while citizens, active or not, are constantly exposed to information. Moreover, Espinoza criticised mainstream media for oversimplifying the DSA and amplifying polarising figures or events, including Elon Musk and corporate fines.

The session closed with a note on the need for clearer, more strategic communication from EU institutions. Without it, journalists lack the tools to convey the real stakes of digital regulation, leaving the public vulnerable to fragmented and shallow reporting.