Freedom of Expression

The Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) took note of the Council of Europe study "Shifting news authorities and democratic resilience: opportunities and risks associated with newsfluencers in Europe" at its last 29^th Plenary meeting, held in Strasbourg on 17-19 June 2026. Authored by Marijana Grbeša and Iva Nenadić, this comprehensive document analyses the emergence of newsfluencers, hybrid actors at the intersection of journalism, influencer culture, and platform-based creator economies, within Europe's evolving information ecosystem. It provides robust evidence and insight into the current shifts in news authority, underscoring the increasing influence of social media and digital platforms in shaping public opinion and democratic participation.

The study seeks to inform Council of Europe policy responses to the changing nature of the public informational sphere, where newsfluencers and platform algorithms can drive audience migration and transform the dynamics of civic engagement and political mobilisation. The report offers a valuable foundation for future analytical, regulatory, and capacity-building efforts, highlighting both the opportunities for democratic renewal and the risks posed by unchecked influence, disinformation, and the weakening of professional and institutionalised journalism.

Key issues explored include the impact of platformisation, algorithmic amplification, and economic instability within the media sector. The analysis highlights structural shifts such as declining trust in mainstream media, increased news avoidance, and the systematic preference, particularly of younger audiences, for short visual content disseminated via social platforms. At the same time, it draws attention to significant regulatory challenges, including definitional ambiguity (who counts as an influencer, what obligations they bear) and the potential for regulatory fragmentation and double standards that may harm professional journalism while leaving other actors insufficiently accountable. Finally, the study proposes evidence-based strategic directions to address the urgent task of strengthening democratic resilience in an era of de-institutionalised journalism and platform power, fragmented information spaces, and emerging forms of authority.

The study will serve as background document for ongoing CDMSI follow-up work on How social media and other platforms shape opinions and actions, expected to be delivered by 2027. Supporting the goals of the New Democratic Pact for Europe by mapping both the vulnerabilities and the potential for democracy inherent in the rise of newsfluencers, the study is also of direct relevance to the Pact’s process in support of a resilient, pluralistic democracy.