Fake news and hate speech have become a significant factor in political discussions aimed at suppressing other opinions and/or unduly influencing democratic decision making. Both phenomena corrupt and distort civic dialogue. This study analyses them from a policy, social and technical angle and develops a foundation for policies fighting fake news and hate speech. The study was conducted with the support of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Part of the research was also an empirical survey among the Members of Congress.

Die Herausgeber/the editors: Sebastian Brüggemann, University of Public Administration and Finance Ludwigsburg, Germany Nervin Kutlu, Vienna University of Business and Economics, Austria Robert Müller-Török, University of Public Administration and Finance Ludwigsburg, Germany Alexander Prosser, Vienna University of Business and Economics, Austria Silvia Rucinská, Pavol Jozef Safárik University in Kosice, Slovakia Tamás Szádeczky, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary Catalin Vrabie, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Romania