French Series – Disinformation & Democracies
How can we make our democracies resilient against disinformation?
The threat posed by the manipulation of information has sparked growing awareness and concern in both Europe and the U.S. The manipulation of information can polarize debates, create or deepen tensions in society and undermine electoral systems. Such malign practices and actors harm our democracies by eroding trust in institutions and in the media, and eventually by hampering the ability of citizens to make informed decisions. Sometimes, though, attempts by a foreign entity to interfere in democratic processes fail, as was the case during the 2017 French presidential election.
What lessons can be learned from successful experiences of countering disinformation campaigns? How can we address the issues of fake news and disinformation campaigns while preserving our democratic values? How can we make democratic societies and media more resilient against disinformation? How can transatlantic cooperation be strengthened to combat the manipulation of information? Should social media be regulated?