The Role of the New Fourth Estate in Renewing Democracy: how can the news media support democratic resilience, hold its own in the attention economy, and harness AI to its benefit?

The Role of the New Fourth Estate in Renewing Democracy: how can the news media support democratic resilience, hold its own in the attention economy, and harness AI to its benefit?

This conference grappled with the critical juncture of media and democracy. Discussions centred on how the media landscape, facing challenges like misinformation, financial instability, and political polarisation, can uphold its vital role in fostering a resilient democracy. It explored strategies to ensure media pluralism, support independent journalism, and promote media literacy among citizens. The conference also addressed the ethical considerations and potential regulatory frameworks needed to navigate the evolving digital sphere, ensuring that new technologies serve to strengthen, rather than undermine, democratic processes and public discourse.