Call for evidence:
With the growth of digital media, methods of political communication and campaigning have evolved. The impact of digital technologies on our democratic processes has come under increasing scrutiny. Many are of the view that digital technologies offer significant potential benefits for the extension of democracy, while others fear that such technologies may actually undermine the democratic process. As well as covering the effects of digital technologies on the electoral process and political campaigns, the Committee wishes to consider the effects of technology on political debate more broadly, and the wider public’s engagement with and participation in political discourse. The Committee has decided to focus on the issue of how representative democracy can be supported, rather than undermined, in a digital world. It will primarily look across six key areas: transparency in political campaigns; privacy and anonymity; misinformation; the effects of digital technologies on public discourse; how technology can facilitate democracy and the development of effective digital literacy.
www.parliament.uk/democ-digital-committee/written-submission-form
Questions include:
Would greater transparency in the online spending and campaigning of political groups improve the electoral process in the UK by ensuring accountability, and if so what should this transparency look like?
To what extent does social media negatively shape public debate, either through encouraging polarisation or through abuse deterring individuals from engaging in public life?
and
How could the moderation processes of large technology companies be improved to better tackle abuse and misinformation, as well as helping public debate flourish?
Between Twitters mass blocking of CG feminists trying to discuss a government consultation, Edward Lord trying to bias a public consultation by blocking anyone who disagreed with his desired outcome and then only tweeting it to his remaining followers, the shady going ons of Stonewall and the like, especially that fucking Pop n' Ollie "fill out the GRA consultation, kids" video, there should be plenty here for everyone to comment on!