Can Disinformation be Regulated?

This paper critically examines the European Union’s regulatory approaches to combating disinformation, focusing on the Code of Practice on Disinformation, Digital Services Act, European Media Freedom Act and regulation on transparency and targeting of political advertising. Through legal analysis and literature review, the study assesses the strengths and limitations of these frameworks in addressing disinformation, particularly within the context of advertising transparency and platform accountability. Key findings reveal that while the European Union has made significant strides toward improving transparency and holding platforms accountable, current measures remain largely voluntary, and lack sufficient enforcement mechanisms. The paper concludes that regulation alone is insufficient to effectively eradicate disinformation, and proposes a more holistic approach, combining media literacy (critical thinking), cross-border collaboration and adaptive strategies.