Tech platforms 'destroying democracy'

02:25

Maria Ressa is a journalist much admired around the world. She is the co-founder of Rappler, an online news website in the Philippines, created in 2012 and now the fourth biggest news website in the country.

She has been the target of persecution by trolls for being an outspoken critic of Philippines' president Rodrigo Duterte and for her work as a journalist to combat fake news.

But for her, the problem goes wider than her country alone. Appearing at a tech conference in Munich she warns that a dystopian future ruled by fake news is on the way unless real solutions are implemented quickly.

"It's a process that is ongoing. What we're seeing globally is that people in democracies get their news from social media.

"In the United States (this number) was as high as 69 percent at one point. In the Philippines,100 percent of the Filipinos are on the internet.

"So, if you get your news on social media, that information ecosystem spreads lies faster than facts, but without facts you cannot have truth.

"Without truth you can't have trust and if you don't have any of these three you can't have a democracy.”

Ressa was one of the 220 speakers invited at Digital Life Design (DLD) 2020, "Europe's hottest conference" on digital technologies.

She told CGTN: "We know these platforms are meant to keep us on site so the cautionary tale for these tech platforms is that they are ultimately destroying democracy in every part of the world.

"A pure government solution doesn't actually work because governments are different for every single country, a pure tech solution doesn't work - obviously we can't leave it to them because it's been three years and not enough has been done."

According to Ressa "too little, too late" has been done so far to make sure social media are used responsibly and fact-checked.

"In my case it's very personal because these disinformation networks in the Philippines are spreading lies about me, are attacking me and inciting hate against me."

But while Google and Twitter took more proactive steps towards fighting misinformation on their platforms, Ressa says that Facebook has stood its ground and said that "it's okay to lie, especially for politicians."

The solution, says Ressa, needs to be global: "This time proves, more than ever, that information is power and a solution has got to be global in nature."

Maria Ressa warned the audience against the threat of fake news and called for a global solution.

Together with Ressa, hundreds of visionaries and innovators gathered at the DLD conference to rethink how we use digital technology and the information it provides.

We are all addicted to our smartphones and to our laptops, but how can we transform that habit of mindless scrolling into positive change?

How can the biggest companies in the world use their technological advancements for the betterment of developing countries?

From climate change to the decline in civil rights and liberties, rampant poverty and inequality, digital technologies have a role to play.

Clara Barnett works with the UK government on digital and technology transformation across the wider public sector and internationally.

Her opening speech unravelled the understanding behind this year's conference slogan "What are you adding?", asking the audience to consider how their digital products or usage is making a difference or encouraging positive behaviour and who they are speaking to or for.

"The benefits of digital transformation are not equally shared," she says, "across lower and middle income countries for example.

"The gender divide in digital access and youth stands at 23 percent. And in certain countries it's higher still.

"A recent report calculated that closing that gender gap in those countries, could add 700 billion dollars to their GDP growth in 5 years. A more (digitally) inclusive society is a more prosperous one."

A more positive look at digital technology is provided by author and consultant Jeremy Rifkin, also a guest at DLD.

His job is to advise governments worldwide - including China - on how new technologies can impact economies, societies and the environment.

Rifkin believes that technology can have a positive impact on climate change: "Technology is essential. We need to address climate change through digital infrastructure to create new businesses, new employment opportunities and hopefully give future generations the chance to live on this planet and flourish."