Media, Technology and Democracy

Radio Lab

The digital scene is no exception to the strong concentration observed in the media landscape. Once a space of diverse opinions, the internet is now deeply influenced by Tech Giants, who, through major acquisitions, wield considerable power over key platforms of democratic discourse (for example, Twitter, which has become X). Technology has become an instrument of power and sovereignty, creating a new dimension in international relations. Technological races, particularly between China and the United States, shape the contours of this new hegemony, where the possession and control of technological advancements equate to power. This is now known as the ‘splinternet’: a concept that considers the global internet, once seen as a utopia for democracy at its inception, is giving rise to the formation of distinct ideological blocs guided by specific political and ideological interests. These blocs are recreated online thanks to algorithms which limit the free diffusion of information. By creating information bubbles based on a little research, the audience – and in consequence media and journalists – finds itself locked into a spiral of similar news – or fake news. How can we keep online democratic discourse free from ideological interests? What is cyber-skepticism? How does the action of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) unfold in support of the media and safeguard democracy? What consequences will the development of Artificial Intelligence have in this debate? With: Asma Mhalla (Geopolitics of tech specialist I FR Evgeny Morozov (Author I IT) Andrei Petre (The Circle I RO) Moderation: Amaelle Guiton (Libération I FR) In co-programming with Europod , to mark the launch of the podcast Les Santiago Boys.