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Disinformation threatens democracy: experts sound the alarm!
Find out the current weather situation in Vienna and the challenges posed by disinformation. A look at the most important topics of October 15, 2025.
Disinformation threatens democracy: experts sound the alarm!
On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, unstable weather conditions consisting of rain and sun await us in Vienna. According to the latest forecasts, there could be an uncomfortable mix of wet and sunny weather throughout the day, impressively reflecting the interplay of the elements. Not only does the weather pose a challenge for those who want to spend time outside, but it also contrasts with a current discussion on the topic of disinformation, which is very relevant in these times. How MyDistrict reports, the spread of false information is a serious threat to our society.
The European Parliament recently took up the issue of disinformation and sees it as a threat to democracy. It is particularly dangerous when false information is deliberately spread in order to undermine citizens' trust in institutional structures. It is not just trust in the media or science that is at stake, but also the stability of the political landscape. The deliberate spread of untruths not only influences opinions, but can even have a significant impact on elections and social sentiment the European Parliament urgently warns.
The dangers of disinformation
If you take a closer look at the tactics of disinformation, it quickly becomes clear how perfidious this strategy is. Emotional manipulation is used to create fear, anger, or indignation. Added to this are methods such as the polarization of extreme views and the flood of information that is often confusing and contradictory. Young people who spend a lot of time on social media are particularly affected by this. It is therefore important to promote media literacy among the population and to explain how to recognize and critically question this information.
To counteract this, the European Parliament has taken steps to hold major platforms accountable. The introduction of the Digital Services Act (DSA) requires social media to take action against disinformation. The focus is on reviewing and labeling content, which is particularly true for platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Education is also being worked on in Vienna: The European Experience offers interactive games, such as the “Bad News Game”, where participants take on the role of disinformers in order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of disinformation.
Climate protection and disinformation
Particular attention is also paid to the area of the environment and climate protection. As Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig emphasized at the last meeting of EU environment ministers in Warsaw, disinformation is a growing threat here. Around 13 percent of disinformation spread online in the EU concerns the issue of climate change. This low-quality information not only threatens trust in climate action, but also the economic future of the entire continent. Totschnig explains that targeted disinformation campaigns tend to slow progress and hamper the transition to a carbon-neutral economy.
The challenges are clear: This makes it all the more important that we actively deal with these issues and sharpen our critical perspective. This is the only way we can ensure that democracy and our environment continue to provide a safe haven in the future.