Democracy Under Pressure? Digital Spaces and Disinformation

How is digital communication transforming our democracy. What impact do social media, disinformation and digital abuse have on have on political debates and social cohesion? And how can democratic institutions, independent journalism and civil society respond to these challenges? This public discussion event, organized by the ECDF in collaboration with the BANA guest student program at the Technische Universität Berlin as part of Berlin Science Week 2026, addresses these questions. The event brings together academia, the media, civil society and the general public to discuss the future of the democratic public sphere in the digital age.

Digital platforms are increasingly shaping how information is created, disseminated and evaluated. While they open up new opportunities for participation and networking, they simultaneously create spaces for hate speech, disinformation, and social polarization. The event opens with a keynote address by political scientist and democracy researcher Prof. Dr. Gesine Schwan, who examines the importance of trust, participation and social cohesion for a vibrant democracy. A unique perspective on the topic is offered by the staged reading of “The Committee“ using the Iran-Contra affair as a case study, the production explores issues of power, transparency, public accountability and democratic oversight. 

The highlight of the evening is a high-profile panel discussion featuring experts from academia, journalism and civil society. Together, they will discuss how digital platforms shape political opinion, which strategies can effectively counter disinformation and digital violence and the roles played by academia, the media and democratic institutions in strengthening societal resilience. The panelists are: 

• Ronny Blaschke, sports journalist and author
• Matthias Heider, Associate Researcher at the  Institut für Demokratie und Zivilgesellschaft, Digital Conflict Research Division
• Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, managing director of HateAid
• Prof. Dr. Philipp Staab, ECDF-Professor for Sociology of Work, Economy and Technical Change at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Representative of The Committee (tbd)
• Moderation: Katja Weber, radioeins & radiodrei (rbb) and Deutschlandfunk Nova

The event explicitly invites the audience to ask questions and join the discussion. The aim is to provide orientation, highlight diverse perspectives, and reflect together on how democracy can be protected, shaped, and further developed amidst digital transformation.

The stage reading will be presented in English, followed by a panel discussion in German. Advance registration is kindly requested.