This event will discuss the multiple causes and consequences of transformations in legacy and online news media and outlines potential pathways toward healthier and more resilient information ecosystems.
What counts as ‘news’ in today’s information ecosystems? What happens when people cannot tell the difference between accurate and inaccurate, or false, information? Who consumes the news, do they trust it, and how does news exposure influence attitudes and behaviors? Do viral mis- and disinformation and hate speech really cause political polarization? To what extent is mis- and disinformation weaponized in politics and with what consequences? How is the rise of digital platforms owned by big tech companies changing news production and consumption?
On 16 January, the International Observatory on Information and Democracy launched its first comprehensive report, which provides a global understanding of the current structure of the information and communication space and its impact on public debate and democracy around the world. This event will focus on the second chapter of the report, that offers an in-depth review of all the questions above.
The Observatory draws on its extensive global network of researchers to provide a nuanced and critical overview, crucial for examining the challenges confronting information ecosystems and democracies. This approach avoids oversimplifications, misleading generalizations, and Western-centric biases. The objective of this event is not only to disseminate the results of the Observatory’s research but also to highlight research consensus and dissensus, gaps and priorities for the scientific community and share actionable insights for different sectors and regions.