Elections & Democracy, European Policy, Free Expression
CDT Europe Joins Civil Society Letter on the Council’s Proposed General Approach to the Regulation of Political Advertising
Copied from the letter:
We, the undersigned 34 civil society organisations, are writing to you to voice our deep concern regarding the Presidency’s compromise text on the Regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising (COM(2021)0731) and the risks that it poses to democracy and fundamental rights in Europe.
In particular, the proposed text (a) dangerously mischaracterises the mere expression of political ideas and civic engagement as political advertising; (b) establishes a sanctions regime that applies to sponsors of political advertisements on ambiguous grounds; and (c) delays absolutely necessary measures to ensure the integrity of electoral processes in the EU and makes them conditional on evaluation and review exercises, including on restrictions on the use of personal data and transparency of political ads.
