The United States has expressed concerns regarding a European conference on disinformation, leading to the withdrawal of official support from Lithuania, Canada, and the European Union. The #Disinfo2026 conference, scheduled for October 7 and 8 in Vilnius, Lithuania, aims to gather experts and policymakers to address disinformation and information manipulation.
The controversy arose after the conference program included a panel discussion that questioned whether the US could be considered a source of foreign information manipulation and interference. In response, US officials reportedly engaged with governments involved in the conference, resulting in the removal of Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry, Canada’s Global Affairs department, and the European External Action Service logos from the list of supporters.
Lithuania justified its withdrawal by stating that certain elements of the conference did not align with its official stance. Similarly, Canada adjusted its participation due to changes in the framing of some panel discussions, although Canadian officials continued to attend the event. The EU also removed its official support, citing misalignment of some discussions with its positions, yet it maintained financial backing for the conference.
The panel discussion at the center of the dispute focused on examining the US as a potential threat in terms of foreign information manipulation and the need for European entities to bolster their capacities to counter such threats independently. This has sparked debates over the fine line between countering disinformation and fostering open discussion about governmental actions.
Despite these tensions, France upheld its support for the conference, emphasizing the importance of engaging with civil society to develop effective European policies on disinformation. The situation highlights growing divergences among Western governments on defining foreign information threats and addressing international criticism within civil society forums.