The book, Information Ecosystems and Troubled Democracy: The State of Knowledge on News Media, AI, and Data Governance, brings together areas of research that are often examined separately. It shows how news is being produced and consumed in new ways, how AI is reshaping information systems, and how today’s data governance risks doing real harm – especially to excluded and marginalised communities around the world.
At the same time, it underlines the need to look closely at the complex systems of institutions and power that shape today’s information ecosystems – and ultimately determine the integrity of the information we all rely on.
“Progress in this field heavily depends on combining two perspectives”, says Robin Mansell, professor emeritus at the London School of Economics and Political Science. “Firstly, the rules and norms that regulate news, AI, and data, and secondly, the strategies used by civil society to counter the power of Big Tech. Both, we argue, are vital to protect freedom of expression, privacy, and democracy”.
No one-size-fits-all solutions
“There is no single method of combating mis- and disinformation that will help to stop today’s information ecosystems from contributing to the destabilisation of democracy”, Mansell continues.
The study shows that different combinations of measures have varying effects depending on the regions and countries where they are applied. Much of the existing research, however, still centres on the Global North – leaving important developments in the Global Majority World world underexplored.
Identifying gaps
The book also points to critical gaps in current knowledge. Among the most urgent are the need to secure sustainable financial models for independent journalism and to create data governance frameworks that give people real control over their personal information.
“We need to go beyond broad principles of responsible AI and platform regulation. What’s required are concrete mechanisms for transparency and accountability”, Mansell concludes.
The book is revised and expanded from an earlier report published by the Observatory on Information & Democracy.