A training seminar on disinformation was organised for the first time by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression, in collaboration with the Greek National School of the Judiciary, for the students at the School on 25 May in Thessaloniki.

The seminar brought together a wide range of experts—including professors, national judges, and Yannis Ktistakis, judge at the European Court of Human Rights —who provided valuable insights into both European and national legal frameworks addressing disinformation. The audience actively engaged in discussions contributing to an enriched debate on the legal and societal implications of disinformation.
This event offered an opportunity to present Council of Europe standards, including the Guidance Note on countering the spread of online mis- and disinformation through fact-checking and platform design solutions in a human rights compliant manner and  Resisting Disinformation: 10 Building Blocks to Strengthen Information Integrity. Future judges were informed about possibilities for cooperation on the implementation of the European standards, and about the Council of Europe Training Programme on disinformation, currently being developed. The importance of prevention in addressing disinformation was also highlighted, with specific reference to the RESIST project methodology, which promotes the exchange of good national practice in this field.
The seminar further encouraged reflection on how existing legal frameworks can be effectively used to address the spread of harmful falsehoods. Several interventions examined the limitations of criminal and civil law in responding to online disinformation, particularly in the context of the digital environment and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. This raised broader questions about the impact of technological change on national legal systems and on users’ perceptions and behaviour. Beyond legal and institutional dimensions, participants also explored the wider societal impact of disinformation on democracy, supported by statistical data illustrating the types of media most frequently associated with disinformation.
The framework established by the Digital Services Act (DSA), particularly regarding platform liability for illegal content and users’ compensation, as well as the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, were examined in depth. These discussions highlighted the delicate balance between protecting freedom of expression and addressing the risks posed by disinformation. Another takeaway from the seminar was the need to clearly distinguish between dangerous disinformation that threatens democracy and journalistic non-significant errors.