(13) Trust Deficit: The deluge of scandals, deception, and misinformation indicates that trust and truth are declining. Edelman’s Trust Barometer (2023) revealed that (a) two-thirds of the countries surveyed are now considered “distrusters,” with less than half of the population trusting mainstream institutions such as business, government, media, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to act ethically; (b) over two-thirds of the general population lack confidence in their leaders’ ability to address the challenges facing their countries; and (c) the media are distrusted in more than 80 percent of the countries surveyed.
This lack of trust in institutions and leaders is concerning, as it can erode societal cohesion, create chaos, and corrupt, resulting in a loss of faith in the democratic process. It also makes it more difficult for organisations and governments to effectively implement policies and solve problems. It is important for leaders and institutions to take steps to regain the public’s trust by being transparent, accountable, and working to address the concerns and issues that drive mistrust.
(14) Disregard for Political Accountability: Accountability erosion is a function of diminishing trust. The need for a functional system of media regulation is becoming more pressing as the integrity of the international media landscape faces challenges from far-reaching transformations. In democratic societies, various instruments of media accountability, including press and media councils or journalism ethics boards, play a crucial role in ensuring responsible media performance. However, as the established system of media accountability encounters new challenges, concerns arise about the effectiveness of these instruments as guardians of press freedom and media plurality.
(15) Media Accountability: In their book “Power Without Responsibility: Press, Broadcasting and the Internet in Britain,” James Curran and Jean Seaton (2019) have revisited issues relevant to the digital era worldwide. The pivotal argument is the immense power of digital media, which lacks accountability and responsibility as a source of newsworthy content. The relegation of accountability is attributed to the decentralisation of the media, the rise of social media and online news platforms, low entry costs allowing anyone to become a content creator, and easy access to the internet.
One of the main concerns regarding media accountability instruments is their ability to effectively ensure media responsibility without infringing on press freedom and media plurality. While press councils are meant to hold media outlets accountable for inaccurate or unethical reporting, they may also limit freedom of the press if they are overly punitive or restrictive in their judgments. Research has shown that the effectiveness of media accountability instruments varies depending on the media culture of the country in question. In some countries, press and media councils have been effective in promoting responsible journalism and media freedom. For example, the Press Complaints Commission in the UK has been successful in resolving complaints without resorting to legal action.
However, media accountability instruments are insufficient in addressing new challenges facing the media landscape, such as the spread of disinformation and the rise of social media. These challenges require new approaches to media regulation that involve a combination of self-regulation, government intervention, public education, and, above all, a foundation in epistemic knowledge. The effectiveness of media accountability instruments depends on the media culture of the country in question, and new challenges require innovative approaches to media regulation.
(16) Devitalisation of the Internet: This term refers to the process of depriving something of vitality or essential qualities, making it lifeless or weakened. A concerning aspect of the internet is its role in the devitalisation or disengagement of users with extreme content. The internet has facilitated easier access to extreme content, including hate speech, extremist ideologies, and violent propaganda. This access has contributed to a decline in CT skills and an increase in exposure to harmful ideas. Research indicates that exposure to extreme content can lead to desensitisation and a reduction in empathy, making individuals more susceptible to extremist ideologies.
(17). Tribalisation of the Audience: This phenomenon occurs when filter bubbles form due to the attention economy, leading individuals to be exposed primarily to their pre-existing beliefs while opposing views are blocked. People tend to focus on opinions from familiar sources within their communities, facilitated by social media platforms. This results in “bounded rationality,” where limited access to diverse information impairs effective reasoning and decision-making.
(18) Political Manipulation of Social Media: Social media platforms have become powerful tools for political manipulation, posing serious concerns for democracy. The spread of false, misleading, and biased information, coupled with the lack of transparency and accountability from social media companies, and their failure to effectively monitor their platforms, contribute to this issue. It is crucial for society to recognise these challenges and take measures to address them, such as implementing increased regulation of social media companies, supporting fact-checking initiatives, and promoting media literacy campaigns. The capability of these platforms to reach vast audiences quickly and at low cost has made them attractive to politicians and political organisations seeking to sway public opinion. However, this also facilitates the spread of misinformation, which can have detrimental effects on democracy. Research has shown that social media algorithms can exacerbate the spread of false information and polarise public opinion by prioritising engagement over accuracy, thus giving misleading information precedence over factual content.
Social media companies have faced criticism for their opacity and lack of accountability. There have been numerous instances of foreign governments using social media to interfere in the political processes of other countries. Furthermore, the failure of social media companies to effectively regulate their platforms has led to widespread dissemination of hate speech, fake news, and other harmful content, prompting calls for stricter regulation to curb their influence on public opinion. [NEXT – More Challenges]