What is the Code?
It is a unique self-regulatory mechanism, created in 2018 as a voluntary framework to combat disinformation in the EU. Its goal is to increase transparency in the online environment, limit the spread of harmful content, and strengthen cooperation between platforms, researchers, and civil society. It was introduced as a response to the growing threat of disinformation, which undermines democratic processes and public trust.
Development of the Code
2018 - adoption of the Code of Practice on Disinformation
2022 - revision of the Code of Practice on Disinformation
13 February 2025 - integrated into the framework of the Digital Services Act as the Code of Practice on Disinformation
1 July 2025 - the Code of Practice entered into effect at the request of the signatories
What is the aim of the Code?
The Code includes 44 commitments and 128 specific measures addressing several key areas, such as:
Demonetisation of disinformation – limiting opportunities to profit from the spread of false content.
Transparent political advertising – tightening the rules for political and other sensitive advertising.
Integrity of online services – reducing the impact of fake accounts, bots, and manipulative techniques.
Empowering users – giving people tools to identify and report disinformation.
Support for research and fact-checking – enabling access to data and cooperation with experts.
Transparency – regularly publishing reports and measures through the Transparency Centre.
Practical Application of the Code by the Council for Media Services
The European Board for Media Services (the Media Board) supports its members in developing monitoring methodologies, fostering cooperation with relevant stakeholders, and exchanging best practices to address new and emerging challenges in the area of disinformation. The Council for Media Services currently chairs the EBMS Working Group WG5 (Integrity of the Information Space), which is dedicated to this agenda.
Although Slovakia does not yet have specific legislation directly targeting disinformation, the Council for Media Services applies the commitments of the Code in practice. Based on them, it created monitoring mechanisms used to map election campaigns, during the snap parliamentary elections in 2023, the presidential election in 2024, and the European Parliament elections in 2024.