With the advent of social media and Artificial Intelligence, the traditional norms of public debate and democratic participation are being profoundly disrupted and transformed. All of us citizens, as well as public authorities of all kinds, are grappling with this revolution, which changes the ways citizens intervene in and shape public debates and how political power is distributed. This has real consequences on social cohesion in local communities, and local and regional authorities struggle to come up with responses.  

> Recommendations from the 2025 Security, Democracy and Cities manifesto

> Reports from the 2024 Security, Democracy and Cities conference
– Renewing our democratic practices, linking security, democracy and cities
– Communication: Transparency, fake news and social media
– Protecting freedom of expression and diversity in shared public spaces
– How to understand and prevent hate, extremism, and disinformation online
– Polarisation and prevention of radicalisation leading to violent extremism

> Positioning

In its 2025 Security, Democracy and Cities manifesto, Efus calls for close cooperation between local, national, and international authorities to counter fake news and harmful social media content. Local authorities can leverage social media to share useful information, engage citizens in decision-making, and promote democratic values. Social networks are also vital for crisis communication, allowing authorities to quickly alert the public in emergencies. 
To maintain public trust, authorities at all levels must communicate transparently and uphold ethical standards. Educating citizens, especially young ones, on distinguishing between fake and reliable news is essential, and local authorities can support schools and civil society groups in this effort. Additionally, local authorities can strengthen their strategies by exchanging best practices with peers at national and international levels.