The European Commission is following up with Meta and TikTok on Monday over the role social media disinformation played in the Ceuta migrant crisis, after EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen demanded both platforms take decisive action.
More than seventy thousand people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave at the end of July, with authorities blaming false rumours spread online for fuelling the surge. Eighty people died in the crossings.
Brussels has identified what it calls Russian-linked manipulation channels among those spreading the disinformation.
William Denselow reports from Brussels.
IN: “This comes in...”
OUT: “...make this crossing.”
DUR: 38 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0810-1418denselow-ceutavirkkunenmeta1.mp3
(ALT)
William Denselow in Brussels says European officials are also looking beyond social media, seeking stronger cooperation with countries such as Morocco to prevent a repeat of the crisis — though the response has exposed divisions within the EU itself.
IN: “This is just...”
OUT: “...on migration policy.”
DUR: 35 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0810-1418denselow-ceutavirkkunenmeta2.mp3