EU launches ‘trUE – The Naked Truth’ to battle disinformation in Romania

This platform is purpose-built to empower the Romanian public with the tools they need to identify and combat fake news and misleading information disseminated online.

Romania

The European Commission’s Representation in Romania has introduced an online platform named ‘trUE – The Naked Truth’ as a tool in the fight against disinformation. This platform is tailored to empower the Romanian public in identifying and countering fake news and misleading information rampant on the internet.

“trUE” offers a wide array of resources, including articles, case studies, influencer-driven video content, and educational materials suitable for classrooms. Ramona Chiriac, the head of the Representation of the European Commission in Romania, expressed her hopes that this initiative will equip Romanians with the necessary tools to discern fact from fiction, not only about the European Union but also across the broader media landscape.

Why does it matter?

The platform is well-timed, as Eurobarometer findings revealed that a significant majority of Romanians, 63%, frequently come across news and information they believe to be distorting reality or entirely false. This alarming trend concerns 61% of Romanians, who agree it poses a problem for their country. In response to this pressing issue, the European Union has taken a proactive stance by implementing the Digital Services Act, effective as of November 16, 2022. Online platforms like ‘trUE’ contribute to these efforts by empowering the public to actively participate in the battle against disinformation.