Dear friend,
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the Friends in Defence of Democracy have the pleasure of inviting you to a webinar entitled: "Defending Democracy from Disinformation", on Friday 29 January 2021, at 1.30 – 3.00 PM (CET).
The proliferation of online platforms and ease with which malign forces can manipulate information is greatly undermining democratic institutions. Political disinformation creates chaos, division, and distrust. It has resulted in parallel universes in which citizens operate with a different set of facts and live in different realities. Disputes over conflicting opinions about how to solve society’s problems have been replaced by a divergent understanding of what the problems are in the first place.
Disinformation hurts democracy in a multitude of ways. First, it harms electoral processes by endangering the concept of “informed choice”, as voters go to the polls with false information mixed in with conspiracies. It may also damage electoral legitimacy, by spreading lies about the electoral result and its fairness, as we see today in the United States.
Second, and perhaps more fundamental, disinformation polarizes societies and distorts public debates. Executive actions, legislation, appointments, and foreign policy are all viewed through vastly different lenses, with no clear referee of facts and evidence, making the truth subjective, legitimacy questionable and accountability impossible.
Third, disinformation also presents an effective vehicle for both domestic and foreign anti-democratic actors to peddle harmful narratives, further exacerbate pre-existing societal divisions, and push citizens toward undemocratic alternatives, such as authoritarian populist movements, autocratic strongmen, or even extremist organizations.
Fourth, disinformation may also be a national security threat, effectively undermining states’ foreign policy goals and partnerships as well as promoting hostile adversaries.
Disinformation has become a critical and pressing challenge for democracies around the world. This webinar will explore tangible solutions and best practices to protect democracy from disinformation, protect information integrity and build societal resilience against fake news and false facts.
The webinar is organized in collaboration with the Friends in Defence of Democracy.
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PROGRAMME
13.30 – 13.35 Welcome remarks
Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sweden
13.35 – 13.45 Presentation: Building societal resilience against disinformation – which measures are most effective?
Dr Marco Aurelio Ruediger, Director of Public Policy Analysis at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, Rio de Janeiro
13.45 – 13.55 Presentation: Government responses for tackling disinformation – which policies should be considered?
Marietje Schaake, International Policy Director of the Cyber Policy Center, Stanford University
13.55 – 14.25 Comments and reflections
Ministers/Deputy ministers from Friends in Defence of Democracy Member States: Georgia, Liberia, Mongolia, Portugal, Sweden, Tunisia, Uruguay.
14.25 – 14.55: Panel discussion with country representatives & experts
Moderator: Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General, International IDEA
14.55 – 15.00 Closing Remarks
Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sweden
Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General, International IDEA
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MORE INFORMATION
About International IDEA
International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization, with 33 Member States, that works to support, strengthen and advance democratic institutions and processes around the world. It has regional offices in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific and Africa and West Asia. The organization is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information, visit idea.int and follow the conversation on Twitter @Int_IDEA
About The Friends in Defence of Democracy
The Friends in Defence of Democracy is a partnership between Georgia, Liberia, Mongolia, Portugal, Sweden, Tunisia and Uruguay founded upon the common a common concern for the challenges facing democracy, human rights and the rule of law around the world. The Friends in Defence of Democracy will collaborate with a view to manifesting their commitment to democracy and to stepping up their efforts to protect democracy, its principles, processes, institutions and defenders.
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