Is technology being used to destroy the democratic process?

In this episode of the E+T: Off the Page podcast, regular contributors Tim Fryer, Jack Loughran and Tanya Weaver are joined by special guest Coral James O’Connor from City University London to dicuss social media and its potential to disrupt the democratic process. The discussion delves into the impact of social media on political communication, particularly its potential to spread misinformation and challenge established communication practices within political campaigns. As governments globally grapple with these issues, the conversation shifts to whether traditional journalistic standards can keep up with the rapid evolution of media technologies like deepfakes, especially in an election year when over half the world’s population will be voting.

A core part of the conversation also focuses on deepfake technology, with the team discussing how such media can blur the lines between reality and fabrication, making it increasingly difficult for viewers to trust what they see. The panel also highlights the challenge of self-regulation on platforms like TikTok and Facebook, noting how these networks often lack editorial oversight, leading to rapid misinformation spread. Ultimately, the discussion circles back to whether the responsibility of sifting truth from falsehood falls on the individual or if tech companies and governments must adopt more rigorous controls.