[Commlist] New book by Nordicom: Information Ecosystems and Troubled Democracy: The State of Knowledge on News Media, AI, and Data Governance

New publication by Nordicom:
Information Ecosystems and Troubled Democracy: The State of Knowledge on 
News Media, AI, and Data Governance

Authors: Robin Mansell, Flavia Durach, Matthias Kettemann, Théophile 
Lenoir, Rob Procter, Gyan Prakash Tripathi, and Emily Tucker.

Read Open Access: 
https://www.nordicom.gu.se/en/publications/information-ecosystems-and-troubled-democracy 


A critical assessment of why today’s information ecosystems are 
troubling for democracy, this book, based on research in the Global 
North and Global Majority World, examines changes in news media, 
artificial intelligence, and data governance. It focuses on measures to 
improve the quality of public discourse, protect media freedoms, and 
ensure the resilience of public institutions. The analysis highlights 
policies aimed at enhancing the accountability and resilience of 
information ecosystems in the face of the increasing weaponisation of 
information.

Of interest to academics, policymakers, business, and civil society, the 
book showcases worldwide efforts to tackle Big Tech data extractive and 
monetisation practices, address news media instability, and ensure 
artificial intelligence applications are compatible with democratic 
values. This book is essential reading for everyone seeking to reimagine 
what justice in a datafied world could be.

Contents
Preface
Foreword
List of tables and figures
Chapter 1. Information ecosystems and democracy
Introduction
Information ecosystems and the public sphere
Platformisation, datafication, and democracy
Information integrity and mis- and disinformation
Defining mis- and disinformation
Measuring mis- and disinformation
Human rights and governing information ecosystems
Scope and limitations
Conclusion
Chapter 2. News media, information integrity, and the public sphere
Introduction
Defining “news”
News media, the public sphere, and democracy
News media industry structure and platform dependency
Trust in news media
Evidence of declining individual trust in news
Models and concepts of media effects
Relational models of media engagement
Changing journalism standards and news media practices
News media use, news avoidance, and resilience
News media avoidance
The weaponisation of online information
Mis- and disinformation, political polarisation, and public opinion
Strengthening trust and resilience to mis- and disinformation
Conclusion
Chapter 3. Artificial intelligence, information ecosystems, and democracy
Introduction
Defining AI
AI systems and human rights
Algorithmic bias and fairness
Freedom of expression and information
Privacy protection
Democracy and participatory rights
AI systems and content governance
AI systems in content generation
AI systems in content moderation and curation
AI systems and news media
Use of generative AI by mis- and disinformation actors
AI systems and democracy
Conclusion
Chapter 4. Big Tech power and data governance
Introduction
Information ecosystem contestations
Corporate data monopolisation and digital infrastructures
Data monopolisation and data dependency
Business models, knowledge, and mis- and disinformation
Big Tech monopolisation of data and AI system biases
Monopolising knowledge by foreclosing access to information
Research independence and verifiable knowledge
Data governance, data justice, and democratic deliberation
Corporate power and lobbying
Towards data justice
Conclusion
Chapter 5. Governing information ecosystems
Introduction
Varieties of information ecosystems governance
Governing principles and legislation
Governing network infrastructure
Governing digital platforms
Governing news media
Governing AI systems
Privacy and data governance
Governing mis- and disinformation
Safely navigating information ecosystems
Media and information literacy
AI literacy
Conclusion
Chapter 6. Governing information ecosystems in practice
Introduction
Awareness of mis- and disinformation
Public awareness of risks and harms
Understanding automated content moderation
Policymaker understanding of AI systems and platforms
Measures to combat mis- and disinformation
Public information and fact-checking
Government action: Legislation and codes of practice
Platform action to address mis- and disinformation
Alternative data governance practices
Epistemic privileging and data justice
Resistance to corporate datafication strategies
Individual digital self-defence strategies
Public interest alternative news media
Community collaborative strategies
Social entrepreneurs and community-controlled technologies
National-level decentralised data governance frameworks
Civil society organisations, researchers, and philanthropic organisations
Conclusion
Chapter 7. Conclusion: Information ecosystems and troubled democracy
Introduction
Epistemic difference and inequities
Conceptual framings, research designs, and methodologies
Research design and methods
Future research priorities
Datafication-for-profit business models
Governing information ecosystems
The infrastructure layer
News media and trust
AI systems and content governance
Literacy and informed publics
Governing democratically: Towards data justice
Conclusion




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