Conclusion: Information Ecosystems and Troubled Democracy (chapter 9)

This chapter begins with an introduction that frames the central themes of the report, covers the key concepts and definitions, delves into the challenges facing democracies focusing on mis- and disinformation, acknowledges the limitations of the report and provides an outline of the report.

What does research tell us about changes in legacy and online news media and what can be done to promote information integrity and a democratic public sphere?

• The analysis shows how platform dominance and advertizing market concentration impact news media finances and public trust, with variations across countries. 
• It highlights inconsistent findings on mis- and disinformation and urges to strengthen news organizations’ bargaining power. 
• The study emphasizes government roles in information manipulation and the protective role of filter bubbles for marginalized groups. 
• It calls for global studies on media trust, polarization, and news sustainability.

What does research tell us on the properties of AI systems (machine learning algorithms), their role in content governance, and internationally protected human rights?

• This report examines how AI development intersects with safeguarding human rights, emphasizing states’ responsibilities to address challenges from new actors, tools, and power dynamics.
• It underscores the inevitability of bias in AI systems, the need for transparency in algorithms and data, and the risks of AI-driven content governance.
• It highlights that effective content moderation requires multifaceted, ethical, and transparent approaches with legal frameworks geared towards accountability, and the regulation of personalization systems.
• It calls for research on regional human rights applications, data diversity, independent algorithmic audits, and addressing emerging AI divides.

What does research tell us on the power of big tech companies and approaches to governing data extraction and use and influences on political deliberation?

• This report reveals injustices associated with the interplay of data extraction and data brokering.
• It underscores the role of monopolistic actors and digital platforms in shaping data production and governance, replicating injustices and exacerbating inequalities.
• It explores how permissive legislation and platforms business models fuel mis- and disinformation, global data dependencies, and exploitative online labor markets.
• It highlights resistance strategies from Global Majority World countries while addressing their vulnerability to misinformation campaigns and datafication harmful consequences, and calls for more research into these phenomena.

What does research tell us about changes in legacy and online news media and what can be done to promote information integrity and a democratic public sphere?

• The analysis shows how platform dominance and advertizing market concentration impact news media finances and public trust, with variations across countries. 
• It highlights inconsistent findings on mis- and disinformation and urges to strengthen news organizations’ bargaining power. 
• The study emphasizes government roles in information manipulation and the protective role of filter bubbles for marginalized groups. 
• It calls for global studies on media trust, polarization, and news sustainability.

What does research tell us about changes in legacy and online news media and what can be done to promote information integrity and a democratic public sphere?

• The analysis shows how platform dominance and advertizing market concentration impact news media finances and public trust, with variations across countries. 
• It highlights inconsistent findings on mis- and disinformation and urges to strengthen news organizations’ bargaining power. 
• The study emphasizes government roles in information manipulation and the protective role of filter bubbles for marginalized groups. 
• It calls for global studies on media trust, polarization, and news sustainability.