Addressing disinformation challenges: a critical effort to support freedom, democracies and trust

The rapid growth of digital content has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish credible information from incorrect information or even disinformation, posing a serious threat to democratic societies worldwide. Disinformation erodes trust in institutions, exacerbates polarisation, and undermines informed decision-making. While existing solutions often act reactively, the European Research Infrastructure OPERAS offers a proactive approach by promoting open access to high-quality, peer-reviewed academic content in the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), with a focus on transparency, multilingualism, and global collaboration. Through initiatives such as the Information Quality Protocol (IQP) and multilingual dissemination of research, OPERAS is uniquely positioned to tackle disinformation at its root, addressing the challenges of credibility and inclusivity.

By ensuring that academic and scientific knowledge are available in multiple languages and integrated into search engines and digital platforms, OPERAS enhances access to reliable information across linguistic communities. Its efforts to foster transparency in the academic publication process and to support media literacy campaigns will contribute to empowering citizens to critically evaluate digital content, reducing the impact of disinformation and restoring trust in democratic processes. These initiatives contribute to a more informed, resilient society, reinforcing the integrity of public discourse and democratic participation in the face of growing disinformation challenges.