Description: In an evolving landscape where journalism intersects with technology, the traditional role of journalists as the primary editors of public interest information has shifted profoundly. With big tech playing an increasingly prominent role in content generation and curation, online platforms’ governance processes significantly impact media freedom and poses challenges to foundational democratic principles. This workshop will explore the complex interplay between technology, journalism, and democracy, aiming to identify concrete steps towards a healthy online information ecosystem. To navigate the impact of digital technologies on democracy, it is imperative to ensure journalism’s democratic role in producing widely accessible, factual and unbiased information while promoting transparency and accountability. While providing an enabling environment for independent quality media is essential, questions regarding accessibility and online exposure to public interest information persist. The workshop aims to discuss both the importance of information integrity and the integrity of online information spaces. It will explore reinforcing the human rights framework with a public interest perspective to uphold media freedom, which is undermined by online platforms and emerging technologies, and weaponized by authoritarian governments and malicious actors. This workshop seeks to explore how technology can be harnessed to serve journalism and democracy, by establishing rules that prioritize public interest, countering monopolized technology threats to media freedom, pluralism, and democratic values. The workshop aims to examining measures by states and other stakeholders to enhance access to reliable, diverse, and public interest information, thereby empowering individuals and societies, and contributing to a resilient, active citizenry and sustained democracies on a global scale. Through these discussions, the workshop aims to contribute to a roadmap for the future of journalism, where technology empowers people and fosters a healthy information ecosystem that is transparent, accountable, and public interest-aligned.
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