Fortifying the Digital Public Sphere: The Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact Sets a Global Standard for Governance

The Council of Europe is spearheading a “New Democratic Pact” to address digital threats like disinformation and AI-driven democratic backsliding. During EuroDIG 2026, stakeholders emphasized that robust safeguards and platform accountability are essential to transforming passive digital consumers into empowered, active citizens.

RMN News Democracy Desk
New Delhi | May 28, 2026

Protecting the Core of Democracy in a Digital Age

As digital information ecosystems increasingly mediate modern life, the Council of Europe has taken a decisive stand to protect the integrity of democratic processes. Participating in the 2026 European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) in Brussels, the Council engaged in a multi-stakeholder consultation to refine the “New Democratic Pact for Europe”. This initiative arrives at a critical juncture where democracy faces systemic risks from disinformation, information bubbles, and foreign manipulation.

The Necessity of Democratic Safeguards: Claudia Luciani, Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, emphasized that progress in the European digital public sphere is impossible without critical democratic safeguards. The pact places digital governance at the heart of democratic resilience, advocating for coordinated institutional action to counter the growing influence of technology on elections and public discourse. Issues currently under review include AI, data protection, cybercrime, and the digitalization of justice.

Democratic safeguards are critical for progress towards the integrity and functioning of the European digital public sphere.

Trustworthy AI and Public Accountability: A primary focus of the 2026 dialogue was the integration of Trustworthy AI into public services. The Council co-organized debates centered on ensuring that automated decision-making systems remain transparent and explainable. Under existing European legal frameworks, the goal is to establish clear accountability for any breaches of legal standards when public services deploy AI.

From Passive Audiences to Active Citizens: The Council also addressed the immense power held by digital platforms, noting that engagement-driven designs—often amplified by generative AI—tend to reduce users to passive consumers. This passivity fuels the spread of hate speech and synthetic media harms. To counter this, the Council is exploring ways to reshape platform governance, moving beyond “mere audiences” to empower digital users as active, informed citizens.

Future-Proofing the Justice System: The digital shift also extends to the rule of law. The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) and the HELP program held sessions on how AI is reshaping the training needs of legal professionals. As AI becomes more prevalent in the justice system, new methodologies are required to ensure the legal community can navigate these technological advancements without compromising human rights.

With a history of supporting multi-stakeholder discussions since 2008, the Council of Europe continues to lead the charge in defining a new era of internet governance that prioritizes democratic health over algorithmic engagement.