Croatian model of fact-checking and media literacy supported by European Commission

The European Commission Representation in Croatia warmly reflects on the Croatian model of building a system for fact-checking in the public domain as part of the initiative for implementing fact-checking.

Andrea Čović Vidović, Deputy Head of the EC Representation and Head of the Media Department, stated that the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience funds the only such initiative in the European Union, and the aims apply to every member state. The European Commission supports efforts to discount misinformation and false news by stressing media literacy. Unverified information on social networks is one of the significant issues, and it is thus vital to expand capacities and improve all fact-checking methods to keep the media informed.

The Deputy Head of the EC Representation and Head of the Media Department announced a workshop on 15 June at the House of Europe in Zagreb on the importance of digital literacy to provide accurate information to a young audience. She referred to EC Vice President Vera Jourova’s recent statement, expressing her doubt that numerous lawsuits against the media and journalists in Croatia can be classified as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP lawsuits). In this context, she stated that a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the media in the member countries for 2023 will be issued soon.