Europeans overwhelmingly agree that disinformation is a threat — but they are fiercely divided over how far governments should go to regulate the digital world.
A massive new survey from the Central European Digital Media Observatory (CEDMO) and Ipsos reveals a continent locked in a battle not only against fake news, but also over the very definition of freedom in the digital age.
Conducted across nine European countries and involving more than 44,000 respondents, the study exposes a deep ideological fracture over the EU’s flagship internet law, the Digital Services Act (DSA) — a regulation hailed by some as essential protection and condemned by others as censorship disguised as safety.
Half of Europeans See DSA as Protection — A Third See It as Censorship
The survey shows a razor-thin divide:
- 50% say the DSA’s main goal is to create a safer online environment and protect user rights.
- 28% believe it restricts free expression and introduces censorship.
But on one point, Europe speaks with one voice:
79% of Europeans say disinformation is a serious problem — and the same number consider it a security threat.
This places the disinformation crisis on par with concerns about terrorism, cyberattacks, and political destabilization.
Do Europeans Want the State to Intervene? Yes — But Not Equally
Beyond identifying the problem, Europeans differ on the solution.
- 68% support active state intervention to stop the spread of fake and manipulative information.
- Poland leads with a massive 78% backing state action.
- France follows at 74%.
- Hungary is the most hesitant, with only 58% support.
- Czechia and Slovakia fall in the middle, at 65% and 67%, respectively.
These numbers reflect political realities: Poland and Hungary remain deeply polarized, while Czechia and Slovakia battle widespread distrust in institutions.
DSA Under Fire From Washington — Europeans Aren’t Buying It
The Digital Services Act has become a lightning rod for political tension, not only within Europe but across the Atlantic.
U.S. government officials have repeatedly described the DSA as a form of global censorship, warning it threatens freedom of expression worldwide.
But Europeans appear skeptical of the American narrative.
- 49% believe U.S. criticism is driven not by principle, but by a desire to protect the business interests of Big Tech giants like Meta and X.
- Only 21% argue the EU should repeal or weaken the DSA because of U.S. pressure.
In Czechia, sociologist Ivan Ruta Cuker notes that 41% believe U.S. attacks are financially motivated — while 40% accept the EU’s official explanation that the DSA protects users and ensures online safety.
In the V4 Region, Trust in Institutions Shapes Every Opinion
In Central Europe, nearly 80% of people see disinformation as a major issue — but trust (or the lack of it) decides everything else.
- Slovakia and Poland: More people see disinformation as a direct security threat, driving stronger support for state intervention.
- Czechia and Hungary: Widespread skepticism toward institutions makes citizens far more cautious about giving the state more power.
Michal Kormaňák of Ipsos notes that information security in Central Europe is inseparable from political legitimacy and trust in democracy.
He argues the long-term solution won’t come from regulation alone, but from media literacy, transparent governance, and rebuilding public trust.
The Bottom Line
Europe knows it is under attack — not with bombs, but with lies.
Yet the continent remains split on how to defend itself without damaging the freedoms it seeks to protect.
The battle lines are drawn:
Safety vs. liberty. Regulation vs. censorship. Security vs. trust.
The future of Europe’s digital sphere now hinges on how leaders navigate these competing truths.