Disinformation does not endanger democracy - experts raise the alarm!

Disinformation does not endanger democracy - experts raise the alarm!

A new global report by the International Observatory on Information and Democracy, which was written by over 60 experts, including Matthias Kettemann from the University of Innsbruck, illuminates the complex interactions between information ecosystems and democracy. This comprehensive report, which is based on the evaluation of more than 1,600 sources, examines over 40 research questions in 84 countries. Interestingly, it turns out that disinformation itself has no direct influence on democracy, as Kettemann explained to the APA. Instead, it is the discourse on disinformation that leads to a growing distrust of the media and creates a diffuse uncertainty.

disinformation discourse under the magnifying glass

The results of the report, which also also addresses the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and data regulation, represent an alarming knowledge of the social perception of disinformation. Kettemann emphasizes that the excessive focus on disinformation leads to a distorted image of the media landscape, which corresponds to the interest of disinformation actors. The report also criticizes the common practice of collecting data by companies and identifies a clear lack of global regulatory funds, especially in comparison to initiatives such as the EU Digital Services Act.

Another central point is the problem of prejudices in AI systems that result from incorrect training data. Kettemann emphasizes that dealing with AI on social platforms can lead to polarization, which not only endangers democratic processes, but also questions human rights. Responsible and ethical guidelines for the use of AI are urgently required to minimize these risks. The findings from this pioneering report are not only important for science, but also have far-reaching implications for media and data policy all over the world.

Overall, the report shows that it is high time to rethink the discussion about disinformation and rely more on solutions that strengthen both the media literacy of society and counteract manipulation through disinformation. For more information about the complex relationships between information ecosystems and democracy, the full report of the International Observatory on Information and Democracy