Olivia Stamp’s Post

Today, I presented my thoughts on the critical junction of democracy in our digital age for the media authorities in the nordic region. I based my remarks on the report, "A Nordic approach to democratic debate in the age of Big Tech," which offers a roadmap on how to address these complex issues in our region. My remarks can be found here, in text and recording. https://lnkd.in/eSyHkzak

https://lnkd.in/gqnHJi6z When millions of people can only dream of working there, these “stupid” youth google employees have lost it for the sake of people whose names they don’t even know, for land they never set foot upon, for freedoms that aren’t theirs to claim. Or the top university students, risking their future for standing up against their campuses. or US air force member who lit him self on fire to deliver the message. or many others who risk many things for this cause. This event has truly opened the eyes of the world. Revealing the true colors of people, around us or afar. It distinguishes between those who still have humanity and dignity and those who may have lost, or sold it. No history, no book, no wise man, can teach us about hypocrisy any better than this, or even come close. Seeing people shamelessly lie about something that is right before their own eyes. something that’s as clear as day and night. How will they answer their kids when they ask about the logic of dropping aids in one hand and bombs in another hand? or explain about stopping aid when it’s in the most needed time. in the middle of famine. when kids eat grass, drink from puddles, losing weight till no more left. Or explain how can a country that is killing tens of thousands of children and woman and starve the entire population be called as defending itself. But at the end, that’s how power and wealth operate. they enslave people, blind them, just like they enslaved and blinded those before us.

In an age where the Internet is an integral part of our daily lives, the increasing trend of governments resorting to frequent Internet shutdowns during large public gatherings raises serious concerns. While authorities argue that such measures are necessary for maintaining law and order, it is crucial to recognize the detrimental impact these shutdowns have on democratic principles, freedom of expression, and economic activities. #InternetPH #PHInternet #InternetShutdown #InternetShutdownPH #BobReyesDotCom #TheFilipinoTechExplainer

#SafeguardingDemocracyInDigitalAge. Democracy, a system of government that is supposed to empower citizens, is facing a significant threat in various democratic countries, including the United States. The rise of social media has contributed to this decline, posing challenges to the fundamental principles of democracy. Social media platforms have created "filter bubbles" that reinforce users' existing beliefs, leading to political polarization. Algorithms prioritize content that generates high engagement, often favoring sensational and misleading information. As a result, people are less exposed to diverse perspectives, fostering a narrow and biased worldview. Also, false or manipulated information spreads quickly, influencing public opinion and eroding trust in institutions. Social media's brevity and anonymity have degraded civil discourse. Personal attacks and hate speech have become commonplace, silencing marginalized voices and discouraging constructive debate. Complex issues that require critical thinking skills are reduced to simplistic, divisive rhetoric, rather than nuanced discussion. Social media's vulnerabilities allow for foreign interference and political manipulation. For instance, malicious actors have exploited platforms to influence elections and sow discord. Leaders and campaigns in many countries including Australia, USA, and EU use social media to spread propaganda and bypass traditional media scrutiny. The erosion of democracy through social media has severe consequences, including erosion of trust in democratic institutions, media, and political opponents. It has also contributed to polarization, hence leading to political gridlock and social unrest. The United States, a longstanding beacon of democracy, is experiencing intense political turmoil and polarization, fueled by partisan social media echo chambers on both the left and right. This domino effect could lead to a profound reshaping of the global political landscape, where democratic values and principles are supplanted by authoritarian regimes, curtailing individual freedoms, and suppressing dissenting voices. As democracies falter, the world may descend into a new era of autocratic governance, characterized by state control, propaganda, and repression, marking a stark departure from the liberal democratic order that has underpinned global stability and prosperity for decades. To mitigate these effects, consider: (1) Reforming platform to implement transparency, fact-checking, and algorithmic accountability. (2) Educating high school students to critically evaluate online information. (3) Introduce policies that fostering inclusive, respectful public discourse. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges, we can work towards revitalizing democracy in the digital age. Otherwise, we will become the last generation of democracy!

On our road to #OGPEstonia, our partners at Digital Action shared five asks for tech justice to tech company to promote equitable and effective safeguards to protect democratic and human rights. https://lnkd.in/eB5DhXxE

It's here! The next trend report I so proudly made with colleague Niels Hansen and the entire Global Connectors Network. 🙌 In this report we write about the current needs of communities in companies and organizations. As a young person myself, I see how the evolution of technology and social media completely changes the role and meaning of communities. It is now possible to connect worldwide, and yet we find ourselves retreating to our own local and well-known communities. 📱 As a law student, I see how the evolution of the Zeitgeist affects our perception of international institutions, like the EU and the NATIO for example. 🌎 As an employee (at Fresh Forward ;)), I see how compared to earlier times, people no longer just work for a company and then go home with their well-deserved lease-car and a pocket full of money. Instead they desire purpose-driven work, fulfillment and a sense of community. How does the relationship between the individual and the community change throughout the changing Zeitgeist? How can companies adjust their strategy to these changing needs? You can read it in the report below to find out and let yourself be inspired with some best practices in the cases. 👇 With input from: Mark Tabbron (formerly Dodsworth), Sergio Pancorbo, Jeroen Hoek MBA, Jeremiah T. Burgess, Yelena Muzykina, Gooitske Zijlstra, Karlijn Loeven, Tara Endenburg, Pim Zeegers, Don Wettrick, Benjamin Pitkänen, Jeroen Beekmans and others. Thanks. 🙏

📝 "Let us harness the vast potential of digital technology to deepen and advance democratic values and culture. Let us empower citizens with truth, voice and freedom of expression. Let us ensure that there is no room for fake news, discrimination and spreading of bigotry, fear and hate in the digital space" 💻 Learn more about the joint letter from Members of Club de Madrid to technology company representatives, voicing concern over the proliferation of online hate speech and its detrimental impact on democratic values worldwide. Find the full letter here: https://bit.ly/4d4TlON

If we want to realize a “digital democracy,” we must reimagine how technology is used and invest in building new tools to meet the challenges of public trust and participation. In E. Glen Weyl and Audrey Tang's new book, they argue “technology and democracy can be each other’s greatest allies.”

In our interconnected world, the digital sphere plays a pivotal role in shaping public discourse and, ultimately, democracy itself. Yet, we are witnessing a disturbing rise in online hate speech and its dangerous impact on democratic values. As one of the signatories from Members of Club de Madrid, I'm proud to join other former heads of state and government in calling for urgent action to address this critical issue. Together, we urge technology companies to enforce existing content rules and take proactive steps to curb the spread of hate speech by public figures. With over 70 countries holding elections this year, the stakes couldn't be higher. The unchecked spread of harmful rhetoric online threatens the fabric of our societies and silences voices. Our joint letter represents more than a mere declaration—it’s a commitment to protecting the principles of democracy. I invite you to read the article below to learn more about our call to action and the role we believe technology companies must play in safeguarding democracy in the digital age. It's time we ensure that our digital platforms promote constructive dialogue, not division and discrimination. Betymie Bonnelame Gerard Govinden/ Seychelles James Michel Foundation Fortune Wanjohi Kabukuru Seychelles News Agency African Union Club de Madrid Seychelles Ministry of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning

I always read Mark Scott to understand what's happening in Europe around tech policy, and so it was particularly great to get a chance to talk to him about last week's TTC meeting in Brussels & the state of data access for his latest newsletter. I also just wanted to quote from two of his passages that stood out to me and I couldn't agree with more: "Over the last two years, almost all of these companies have scaled back how outsiders access such information, either for academic research, civil society transparency or, for journalists like me, public accountability. More countries now want to pass some form of social media regulation. But the inability to understand what happens on these platforms will, inevitably, lead to bad policy. Only by getting under the hood of these networks — in ways that protect individuals’ privacy and free speech — can we, collectively, make good laws." "The meeting in Leuven demonstrates how EU-U.S. cooperation on digital policymaking can work — well beyond the flashy lights of press conferences and lavish banquets. It’s the grubby “meat and potatoes” policy efforts that, for me, are why the Trade and Tech Council has been a success. It’s also a clear sign why social media data access remains crucial to effective digital rulemaking."