INACH’s Report - Disinformation and Hate Speech: An Analysis

This report contributes to ongoing policy debates by offering a critical examination of the EU’s regulatory response to disinformation, with a specific focus on its intersection with hate speech. Given the increasing convergence of these phenomena, the Code of Conduct on Disinformation is positioned as a key instrument for mitigating harm in the online space. 

The report proceeds in three parts:

• Conceptual Analysis: It explores how disinformation operates in relation to hate speech, identifying key dynamics and risks.

• Case Studies: It presents insights from three EU Member States – the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Germany – to highlight national-level implications and variations in exposure and response.

• Policy Evaluation and Recommendations: It assesses the current scope and limitations of the Code of Practice on Disinformation and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers. These focus on strengthening accountability mechanisms, closing regulatory gaps, and enhancing coordination between EU institutions, Member States, and digital platforms.

At a time when democractic societies face heightened polarisation and growing threats from coordinated online harms, it is essential for EU and national policymakers to adopt forward-looking, evidence-based approaches. This report aims to support that effort by identifying both the regulatory progress achieved and the urgent policy needs that remain.

Read the report here