Berlin, January 30, 2025. The Observatory on Information and Democracy (OID) successfully concluded a two-day mission in Berlin on January 29-30, engaging with key stakeholders in research, policy, and civil society. The meetings revolved around the launch of the OID’s inaugural report in partnership with HIIG, sparking discussions on pressing issues in information ecosystems, and exploring avenues for collaboration on future research and policy initiatives.
Day 1: OID Report Launch at the Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society
The mission kicked off with the first in-person event for the dissemination of the OID report at the Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG). The session featured presentations by the Head of the Observatory, Iris Boyer, OID Scientific Director prof. Robin Mansell of the LSE, and HIIG Research Director, prof. Jeanette Hoffman. Together, they provided an in-depth overview of the report’s key findings and insights on its policy implications.
A lively Q&A session underscored the challenges of researching information disorders, emphasizing interdependent information ecosystems, inconsistencies in research findings, and global disparities in empirical studies. Discussions also covered policy recommendations, including strengthening independent journalism, ensuring transparency in digital platforms, and addressing structural asymmetries in media markets.
“Mis and disinformation is only one factor that we need to be concerned about when we think about what is undermining our democracies: a lot does not have to do with tech, but with inequalities, with climate change and other factors: all these externalities are as important as what is generating mis and disinformation”
– Robin Mansell, OID Scientific Director, Prof. Emerita at London school of Economics and Political Science
Engagement with HIIG Researchers
After the session, the OID met with researchers affiliated with HIIG, discussing projects on smart city data governance, digital platform accountability, and the effects of disinformation on elections. Conversations touched on interdisciplinary approaches, ethical challenges, and how to safeguard academic integrity in politically sensitive research.
The event was followed by a German-speaking live streamed Digitaler Salon on Internet Threats to Democracy featuring Jeanette Hofmann of the HIIG, Johannes Gemkow of the FGZ and Philipp Lorenz-Spreen of the University of Dresden.
Day 2: Collaboration with Berlin-Based Organizations
On its second day, the OID deepened its engagement in Berlin’s research landscape through meetings with the Executive Director of the Coalition for Independent Technology Research , researchers at the Weizenbaum Institute, and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD).
At the Weizenbaum Institute, discussions centred on potential collaborations in meta-analysis, network research, and methodological exchange. The institute’s focus on research synthesis and knowledge dissemination aligns with OID’s mission, paving the way for future possible collaborations. The meeting with ISD explored shared interests in digital platform governance, disinformation research, and election monitoring.
The Berlin mission reinforced the Forum on Information and Democracy’s critical role in fostering global dialogue between researchers on information ecosystems and democracy through its Observatory. OID remains committed to advancing knowledge and policy solutions for a healthier information ecosystem and looks forward to translating these into meaningful cooperation. For more updates on OID’s initiatives, stay tuned to our website’s news section.
