The document answers key questions and clarifies common misconceptions about the proposed Directive on third-country interest representation. It highlights that the Directive would have failed to detect recent instances of foreign interference, such as Qatargate and Russiagate, and suggests it could negatively impact civic space and academic freedom. The Directive is already being used to justify foreign agent laws in third countries like Georgia. Concerns over foreign interference in areas like social media, media ownership, and disinformation are already addressed by existing legislation, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA), and European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The document also demonstrates that general legislation like the EMFA, which applies to both internal and external actors, can detect foreign interference without stigmatizing or adding bureaucratic burdens on CSOs and universities that receive funding from third countries. Read more here.
Source: Civil Society Europe