To fight fake news, the EC launched on Monday a public consultation. It goes along with a high-level expert group that will consist of academics, online platforms, news media and civil society organisations. The EC’s aim it to develop an EU-level strategy on how to tackle the spread of fake news by spring 2018. Freedom of information and pluralism of the media are enshrined in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights, First VP Frans Timmermans stated at the announcement of the working group, adding that 'we need to give our citizens the tools to identify fake news and improve trust online'.