Pro-Censorship Politics: The Dangerous Path Fine Gael Continues to Tread

18.01.2025

Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty has sparked concern with her recent comments warning of legal consequences for allowing the spread of ‘disinformation’ in Europe. Her remarks, following changes announced by social media giants X and Meta, reveal a troubling push toward pro-censorship policies that could set a dangerous precedent for free expression online with politicans positioning themselves as refereed determining what ‘disinformation’ is’.

Doherty’s criticism appears directed at Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to replace Facebook and Instagram’s third-party fact-checking program with a community-driven system similar to X’s "Community Notes." Zuckerberg’s move, aimed at "restoring free expression" and reducing excessive censorship, is a positive step towards fostering open dialogue on these platforms.

However, Doherty’s response suggests a heavy-handed approach, emphasising "substantial consequences" for platforms that allow disinformation. "Europe has invested years in ensuring that illegal content and disinformation do not thrive," Doherty claimed, while pushing for regulators to maintain a tight grip on online discourse.

This stance, far from protecting citizens, risks stifling free speech and innovation. By advocating for stringent control over what can be shared online, Doherty and her Fine Gael colleagues are perpetuating a pro-censorship agenda that could silence dissent and hinder the flow of information. It’s a slippery slope when the polticians begin dictating what constitutes disinformation, and the potential for abuse is significant.

Doherty’s assertion that changes made by tech companies will be subject to serious scrutiny sounds more like a threat than a promise of balanced regulation. "Anything that allows illegal content or disinformation to spread will absolutely result in legal repercussions," she warned, raising concerns about overreach and the chilling effect such policies could have on free expression.

By doubling down on censorship, Doherty is missing the bigger picture. Instead of embracing positive changes that encourage open dialogue, she’s advocating for a model that could stifle debate and erode trust in public discourse. The EU’s digital space should foster innovation and free expression, not be governed by fear of "legal repercussions" for saying what may be deemed the wrong thing.