On March 13-14, 2025, experts, policymakers, and thought leaders from across North America gathered in Montreal for Attention: Freedom, Interrupted, a landmark conference addressing the growing digital threats to democracy.
Hosted at the Centre Phi by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network, the Media Ecosystem Observatory, and McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, this event was part of the Slater Family Canada-US Policy Series, where leading figures gathered to discuss the urgent need for cross-border cooperation in the fight against digital misinformation, election interference, and online harms.
Our Head of the Observatory, Iris Boyer, contributed to the panel Understanding the Online Ecosystem, where she joined esteemed experts including Nina Jankowicz, Sarah Gilbert, and moderated by Aengus Bridgman. The discussion centered on how digital spaces influence political participation, the spread of mis- and disinformation, and the challenges of civic engagement in an increasingly complex information environment. The panel underscored the need for robust research – especially from the Global Majority World – and increased efforts towards data access to safeguard democratic societies against digital threats.
Key Discussions and Insights
The two-day agenda was packed with engaging panel discussions, keynote addresses, and fireside chats featuring renowned experts. Some of the key highlights included:
- The Global Election Landscape: With numerous elections taking place worldwide in 2024 and 2025, speakers discussed the impact of mis- and disinformation, AI content manipulation, and cybersecurity risks on electoral integrity.
- Cybersecurity and National Security: Experts explored how digital vulnerabilities threaten national security and democratic stability.
- Platform Accountability & Transparency: The role of social media and big tech in shaping the information ecosystem was a central theme, with discussions on unpermissioned research and regulatory efforts to ensure accountability.
- The Role of Investigative Journalism: Leading journalists shared insights into exposing foreign influence operations and reporting responsibly on digital threats.
- The Evolution of the Digital Public Sphere: A thought-provoking keynote conversation examined how online spaces have transformed political discourse—for better or worse.
Notable speakers included Joseph Stiglitz (Nobel Laureate, Columbia University), Jay Rosen (New York University), Ethan Zuckerman (University of Massachusetts Amherst), and Stéphane Perrault (Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada), among many other influential voices in media, technology, and policy. The OID meaningfully engaged with the attendees, gathering increasing support and feedback and exploring collaboration opportunities in North america.
Building a More Resilient Information Ecosystem
The conference underscored the importance of collaborative strategies between governments, platforms, and civil society to defend democratic freedoms. As digital threats evolve, so must the efforts to combat them through policy innovation, responsible technology use, and public awareness.
Attention: Freedom, Interrupted was not just an event—it was a call to action. With democracy at a critical crossroads, the insights and partnerships formed in Montreal will play a crucial role in shaping a more secure and open digital future. The OID’s work perfectly fits this conversation.
Read our reports: https://observatory.informationdemocracy.org/reports/
And check out our interactive data map to visualizs research advancement and gaps in studying the information ecosystem
