EuroPCom 2026 – EA member Karl Vanlouwe speaks about FIMI in Flanders

At the 2026 edition of EuroPCom, the European Public Communication Conference at the Committee of the regions, EA member Karl Vanlouwe delivered a focused intervention on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), highlighting its growing impact on local communities and democratic trust.

He stressed that FIMI is not an abstract threat limited to high-level politics, but one that directly affects regions, cities and citizens across Europe. Speaking from the perspective of Flanders and particularly Brussels, a known major hub for the EU, he underlined how such prominent centres are prime targets for FIMI. He pointed to the increasing use of disinformation to exploit social tensions, fuel polarisation and weaken trust, especially since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In response, he emphasised the need to build resilience at every level of government.

Flanders is already translating this approach into concrete action. Through its Media Literacy Action Plan 2025-2030, it is strengthening citizens’ ability to critically assess information, with particular focus on young people. Educational initiatives and public awareness campaigns are encouraging individuals to question sources, recognise manipulative techniques and verify content before sharing. Campaigns like “Klopt da wel?” (“Is that really true?) embody this effort. At the same time, Flanders’ broader Digital Security Strategy brings together cybersecurity awareness and crisis preparedness, acknowledging the interconnected nature of disinformation and cyber threats.

Concluding by underlining the central role of regions and municipalities, Mr Vanlouwe noted that the defence of democracy starts locally, in schools, communities and regional institutions, making their involvement essential in Europe’s response to FIMI.