The advent of digital technology and social media has drastically expanded the power of media. This transformation demands a thorough understanding from legislative bodies to recognise the extraordinary speed and reach of communication on social media, as well as to effectively manage and mitigate the associated risks to democratic processes. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have revolutionized information sharing, playing a crucial role in the dissemination and exchange of ideas about politics and public policy. In addition to amplifying political engagement and lowering the barrier to entry for political participation,3 they also empower politicians to communicate directly with the public, extending beyond traditional media gatekeepers.4 However, these platforms pose substantive threats to democracy. The same features that empower citizens can be misused as vehicles for the spread of online hate speech, disinformation, bias, harassment, and cyberbullying. Malicious actors exploit the rapid, viral nature of social media as conduits to damage public trust and disrupt democratic life. As a result, parliaments face the challenge of crafting legislation that balances freedom of expression with the need to curb harmful online activities. For instance, legislation targeting harmful speech must be finely tuned to avoid inadvertently creating ‘chilling effects’ and suppressing lawful and legitimate speech. Parliaments must be thoughtful in calibrating responses that address urgent threats while not encroaching on essential democratic values. Social media have armed both democratic and malicious actors with powerful new tools. The next section will delve into the issue of disinformation and its impact on democracies.
EVO LU T IO N O F M E D IA A N D I N F O R M AT IO N D I ST R I BU T IO N
2. Evolution of Media and Information Distribution
3. Social Media and Democracy: Fostering Political Deliberation and Participation 4. Social media in political communication A substitute for conventional media?
PARLIAMENTARY HANDBOOK ON DISINFORMATION, AI AND SYNTHETIC MEDIA
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