At IGF 2024, experts discussed the critical issues of election integrity in the digital era, highlighting the threats of misinformation and disinformation, particularly through AI and deepfakes. Panelists emphasized the need for collaboration and tailored strategies to combat these challenges, especially as over 65 elections are set for this ‘super election year.’ The session underscored that safeguarding democracy requires holistic and multi-stakeholder approaches.
At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024, experts convened to address the pressing challenges surrounding election integrity in the context of the digital age, emphasizing issues such as misinformation, disinformation, and the influence of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and deepfakes. The panel discussion, themed ‘Internet governance and elections: maximizing the potential for trust and addressing risks,’ underscored the urgency of these topics given that over 65 elections are anticipated globally in this so-called ‘super election year.’
UNESCO’s Tawfik Jelassi articulated the rapid escalation of disinformation as a severe global risk. He noted, “Without facts, there is no trust, and without trust, democracy falters,” pointing out that misinformation travels significantly faster than verified information, thus intensifying distrust in electoral processes. Panelists illustrated how malicious players exploit digital platforms to mislead voters, making deepfakes and coordinated misinformation strategies increasingly prevalent.
Elizabeth Orembo from ICT Africa spotlighted the pronounced challenges confronting the Global South, where digital inequalities render populations particularly susceptible to misinformation. She remarked, “We cannot apply blanket policies from tech companies without addressing regional contexts,” suggesting the necessity for region-specific strategies that consider infrastructural and cultural nuances in media consumption.
Sezen Yesil of Meta discussed the company’s proactive measures against election-related threats, including initiatives targeting the removal of fake accounts, enhancing transparency in political advertisements, and collaborating with fact-checkers. Despite concerns regarding AI-driven misinformation, she observed that the anticipated impact of generative AI on the upcoming elections appeared limited. However, panellists called for increased accountability for technology companies, with Viltrakiene advocating for legislative frameworks akin to the EU’s Digital Services Act to effectively mitigate digital harms in these contexts.
The importance of collaborative engagement emerged as a recurring theme throughout the session. Rosemary Sinclair of Australia’s AUDA asserted that safeguarding democracy is a “global team sport,” necessitating the involvement of governments, civil society, academia, and technical experts alike. She emphasized that the IGF represents an essential platform for encouraging such cooperation and fostering closer coordination between national and global governance discussions.
Participants reached consensus on the necessity of maintaining efforts for election integrity beyond election cycles. They posited that digital platforms, governmental bodies, and civil society must work in unison to enhance trust, address issues of digital inequality, and establish robust frameworks that protect democratic processes in the digital landscape. The IGF’s potential as a catalyst for global dialogue and actionable solutions was reaffirmed, alongside calls for strengthening its role in shaping governance practices for the future.
The topic of election integrity, particularly in the face of digital challenges, has garnered significant attention given the increased prevalence of misinformation and disinformation tactics, notably through the misuse of social media and new technologies. As elections occur globally, concerns over the reliability of information voters receive have intensified, prompting discussions at forums like the IGF to address how to safeguard democratic processes amid these threats. The IGF serves as a platform for diverse stakeholders to collaborate on these pressing issues, emphasizing multistakeholder approaches to secure the integrity of elections.
In summary, the discussions at IGF 2024 highlighted the critical interplay between digital challenges and the integrity of elections. Stakeholders recognized the urgent need for collective action and tailored strategies to combat disinformation while accounting for regional disparities. The session reaffirmed the importance of sustained efforts across multiple sectors to cultivate trust and protect democracy in an increasingly digital world, underscoring the IGF’s role as a vital forum for these ongoing dialogues and initiatives.
Original Source: dig.watch
