Rasmus Kleis Nielsen joins new EU High Level Group on Fake News

Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, Director of Research at Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, has been appointed to the new European Commission High Level Group on fake news and disinformation online.

Professor Nielsen will contribute to the development of an EU strategy on how to counter the spread of fake news and disinformation.

He says, "Democratic societies need quality information, and I am glad the European Commission is looking for ways policymakers can help citizens, news media and technology companies ensure that information is produced, distributed and used in ways that empower ordinary people to take part in public life."

His imput will draw on recent research from RISJ, including work on audience perspectives on fake news, as well as wider work on how the media environment is changing and a new research project on misinformation, science and media.

The High Level Group was set-up by Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans.  Its findings, and the results of a public consultation, will be presented in Spring 2018.