The Role of Civil Society in Countering Disinformation

Abstract This article examines the role of civil society in countering disinformation, in particular through the prism of international experience and its prospects for Ukraine. The authors analyze successful examples of the EU and the US. The article highlights the features of legal regulation and comprehensive approaches aimed at identifying and refuting false information. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of a developed network of public initiatives for data verification. They should effectively interact with state bodies. In addition, attention is focused on large-scale educational programs on media literacy. In the context of Ukraine, the greatest challenges and potential mechanisms for adapting foreign practices are highlighted, taking into account the conditions of war. The authors determined that effective countering disinformation is impossible without a comprehensive combination of legal norms and active participation of civil society. This is a guarantee of information security and democratic stability of the state.