Cert o fake? A city takes a stand against disinformation and hate

I am Emilio Morillas Moreno, Councillor for European Projects in Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona province, Spain) and a member of the EU Local Councillors network. In Sant Boi, we wanted to show that disinformation, online hate speech and algorithm-driven polarisation are not abstract European debates — they are challenges that affect trust directly in our neighbourhoods, schools and community conversations. That is why we helped bring the European Democracy Shield to life at local level through the public event Cert o fake? Protecting Democracy from Disinformation, held on 22 May 2026 at the Cal Ninyo Theatre in Sant Boi.

What made this initiative special for me was our determination to speak to people differently. Instead of a conventional institutional event, we created a lively civic experience that combined storytelling, humour, live radio and direct dialogue with institutions. Around 100 residents attended, mainly young adults aged 18 to 35, and together we explored how false narratives spread, how digital platforms reward outrage, and why media literacy and critical thinking are essential to protecting democracy.

I was especially proud that we connected European policy to real local stories. We showed how Europe is already present in Sant Boi through Erasmus opportunities, research funding, greener urban spaces supported by Next Generation funds, sustainable urban development backed by ERDF, democratic participation through Euroscola, and local clean-tech innovation. For me, this human-centred approach is the best way to make Europe tangible and credible in people’s daily lives.

The live podcast discussion also demonstrated the value of bringing together different voices — journalists, fact-checkers, activists, digital creators and European institutions — to address very practical concerns. The debate highlighted the impact of algorithmic sensationalism, AI-generated harassment, hate speech and the need for platform accountability, while also giving citizens concrete tools to verify suspicious content.

My main takeaway from this experience is clear: local authorities have a crucial role as guardians of democratic resilience. If we want to defend European values, we must do it not only through legislation, but also through local action, trusted communication and community-based engagement. In Sant Boi, we showed that municipalities can turn the fight against disinformation into a permanent public policy — one that is close to people, especially young people, and rooted in everyday reality.