Politicians Sound Alarm on Disinformation Risks
From Vice Premier Antonio Tajani to EU Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, politicians are raising awareness about the dangers of disinformation, risks that also threaten democracy. The occasion was a conference that opened the fifth edition of the Soft Power Club in Venice, the international association founded by Francesco Rutelli. Among the meetings was one dedicated to “The Power of Persuasion Today, Between Communication, Propaganda, and Hostile Disinformation.”
Gentiloni, speaking through a video message, highlighted social media as a vehicle for spreading false information. He emphasized that their development has led to the “inability to even agree on basic facts.” According to the former premier, social media are often exploited by those intent on sowing discord in our societies and ultimately risk undermining our democracies. He continued by stating that “in the hopes of many, the rise of social media was supposed to democratize access to information and provide a new digital marketplace for ideas. Today, we see all too clearly that this vision was, to say the least, naive.”
Gentiloni also urged vigilance in the face of advances in artificial intelligence, which allow for deepfake videos that are indistinguishable from reality. He cautioned that these advances are often exploited by malicious actors.
Antonio Tajani labeled the fight against disinformation as “priority,” especially given the increasingly complex international landscape. The leader of Forza Italia recalled having placed a strong emphasis on the issue during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Capri and announced that he had signed “an important collaboration protocol with the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken to combat disinformation and fake news.”
“If disinformation wins, there is no democracy,” declared Francesco Rutelli, president of the Soft Power Club. He stressed the need for transparent and tolerant communication and emphasized the importance of combating hostile communication. Rutelli introduced the ongoing series of meetings, stating that “soft power has never been self-sufficient. However, it is still capable of influencing the decisions and behaviors of states and large human communities.” Tomorrow, two more meetings are scheduled, one on the climate crisis and the other on the relationship between Italy and the cultural industry. Ministers Gilberto Pichetto and Adolfo Urso are expected to attend.
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