© Sebastian PfützeThe Forum against Fakes – Together for a Strong Democracy fosters a nationwide, inclusive debate to combat disinformation and strengthen democratic trust in Germany.
CHALLENGES OF DISINFORMATION TO DEMOCRACY
Disinformation—manipulated content deliberately spread by anti-democratic actors—poses a severe threat to democracies worldwide, including Germany and the EU. Its aim often is to destabilise or even destroy democratic systems by undermining trust and social cohesion. This makes addressing disinformation a critical and complex issue for governments and societies striving to protect democratic values.
INNOVATIVE CITIZENS’ ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION
The Forum against Fakes uniquely combines a citizens’ assembly of over 120 randomly selected participants from across Germany with a broad online consultation that has engaged more than 423,000 people since early 2024. Over six months, these two methods interacted to generate rich, inclusive input, culminating in a citizens’ report featuring 15 recommendations and 28 detailed measures. This report provides the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community with vital direct public input to inform government strategies combating disinformation.
WIDER IMPACT AND POLICY INFLUENCE
The project’s communication efforts raised public awareness and encouraged participation in tackling disinformation. The Forum’s outcomes were formally presented to Nancy Faeser, Federal Minister for the Interior, and integrated into the German government’s coalition agreement. This initiative also supports broader European efforts, aligning with the European Parliament’s “European Democracy Shield” to prioritise fighting disinformation. Overall, the Forum against Fakes strengthens democracy by fostering a broad societal dialogue and practical government responses.
