Background

Digital technologies and social media have changed the way politics and democracy operate. For example, social platforms have increased opportunities for public policy debates, but the proliferation of fake news has also influenced the direction of public discourse and even affected the outcomes of discussions. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the essence and content of democracy in this digital age to ensure its effectiveness and stability.

In late June of this year, the European Commission released a report on “Democracy in the Digital Age.” The report identified risks and challenges posed by the digital age to democracy, including algorithms and social media becoming powerful tools for manipulating opinions and public discourse in digital spaces, the increasing reliance on technology companies limiting the scope of democratic control, and the fact that technological advancements are often driven by a few individuals pursuing personal interests rather than the common good.

In response to these challenges, the European Commission proposed several recommendations, such as strengthening support for public participation, civic education, and critical digital literacy. They suggest that government regulation of technology should prioritize the public interest, and support should be extended to civil society organizations and media professionals, even in the realm of diplomacy.

This seminar invites representatives from various stakeholders to delve into the challenges facing democracy in Taiwan in the digital age and seek innovative solutions to ensure that democratic values continue to be realized in the present and the future.

Time & Venue

Venue: IEAT International Conference Center Meeting 11F Room 1 (No. 350, Songjiang Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City)

Agenda

• Moderator
  – Wang Ting-Yu, Editor-in-Chief of Plain Law Movement
• Panelists:
  – Chou Yu-Siou, Executive Committee Member of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, Lawyer at CHEN & CHOU Law Firm.
  – Liu Jia-Wei, Professor of the Department of Public Administration and Policy at National Taipei University.–online
  – Lo Chi-chun, Chief Operating Officer at Pearson Data.

15:45-16:00  Q&A