The Fourth Estate and the Post-Cold War Re-Set: what role should the news media play in an increasingly insecure world where democracy is under threat on multiple fronts? What might this imply for operations, regulation and maintaining independence?

The Fourth Estate and the Post-Cold War Re-Set: what role should the news media play in an increasingly insecure world where democracy is under threat on multiple fronts? What might this imply for operations, regulation and maintaining independence?

As geopolitical instability is on the rise, countries are recognising the need to bolster both their physical and economic security against foreign threats. Economic protection of vital industries may take the shape of securing supply chains, favouring trade with “friendly” nations, and understanding when control over national or “sovereign” assets is essential. How far then should a free press be seen as just such a vital industry? And does this imply that the media and regulators might act in different ways? How can news organisations balance holding power to account and being truly independent alongside sitting within the framework of national security? At this conference, we will discuss the challenges of foreign media ownership and consolidation, the media’s role in democratic resilience building in the face of foreign influence campaigns, and whether the “export” of Western democratic ideals via international media outlets should be seen (and can ethically be seen) as part of the armoury of national security.

This Ditchley conference will gather senior media leaders, regulators, tech platform executives, content creators, policymakers and other experts to examine the shifting media, tech and regulatory landscape against a backdrop of national security concerns and obligations, incorporating issues such as media sovereignty and sustainability, information warfare, and the role the media can and/or should play in supporting democratic resilience.