Social media owners, politicians, and governments are seen as the biggest threats to a trustworthy online news environment, according to a recent report by the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE). The panel, which is modeled after the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, surveyed 412 academic researchers from various fields to gather insights on the state of the global information landscape.
Philip Howard, the co-founder of IPIE and a professor at the University of Oxford, highlighted the influence of social media platform owners as a pressing concern. He emphasized that their control over content distribution and moderation policies can significantly impact the quality and integrity of information available online. The unchecked power of these entities poses a serious risk to the health of the global information environment.
While the report does not specifically name tech platform owners, concerns have been raised about individuals like Elon Musk, who owns X (formerly known as Twitter). Reports of Musk’s tweets being excessively promoted and allegations of bias have sparked debates about the influence of platform owners on content dissemination. Similarly, Frances Haugen’s revelations about Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) prioritizing English-language content moderation over other languages have added to the discourse.
TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has also come under scrutiny for its potential susceptibility to pressure from the Chinese government. Despite reassurances from TikTok’s CEO that the platform is not influenced by any country, concerns remain about the platform’s operations.
The survey conducted by IPIE revealed that a majority of experts believe the information environment is likely to deteriorate in the future. Biased algorithms, manipulation, and misinformation are seen as global threats that need to be addressed urgently. The report also highlights the role of politicians in perpetuating conspiracy theories and misinformation for political gains, leading to a decline in trust in reliable sources of information and democratic institutions.
AI-generated content, including videos, voice, images, and text, was identified as a major concern by experts. The ability of generative AI tools to produce propaganda at scale has raised alarms about the spread of misinformation. While some experts see the potential benefits of AI in detecting misleading content and assisting journalists in data analysis, there is a consensus that the negative effects of AI on the information environment cannot be ignored.
In response to the challenges outlined in the report, experts recommend promoting a free and independent media, launching digital literacy campaigns, encouraging fact-checking initiatives, and labeling misleading content. These measures aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the online information ecosystem, ultimately fostering a more reliable and trustworthy news environment for all.