People are increasingly disillusioned and societies more polarised, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the democratic system and the ideals that often appear detached from the everyday reality of the average person.
While technology has benefited and revolutionised aspects of the election process, it is vital to acknowledge that there are also harmful and dangerous elements, and address these.
03:20
Bangladesh election: young, digital-era voters seek future free from political chaos
Bangladesh election: young, digital-era voters seek future free from political chaos
For example, there can be a lack of transparency over the complex algorithms and machine-learning models that collect and analyse voter data, raising concerns about the fairness of voter targeting and micro-targeted campaign advertisements, which have the potential to bias outcomes. Or technology can inadvertently contribute to voter suppression when registration systems or online voting platforms are inaccessible or confusing for specific segments of the population.
Safeguarding the integrity of elections requires collaboration from every corner of the electoral process to ensure technology is not used in a way that could undermine a fair and transparent process. Sadly, the reality is that there are inadequate checks and controls, as well as regulation.
It is time for politicians in the United States, Britain and elsewhere to come together and agree on the terms of engagement and lead by example to avoid disinformation and fake news entering their campaigns. Alas, this seems highly unlikely.
Interestingly, Taiwan has one of the lowest levels of media trust among democracies. The Digital News Report 2023, published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, found that only 28 per cent of those surveyed in Taiwan said they trusted the media. It was ranked 41 out of 46 markets.
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Taiwanese protest against media outlets described as ‘pro-Beijing’
Taiwanese protest against media outlets described as ‘pro-Beijing’
This outcome places the DPP in a difficult situation. Without the support of the Taiwan People’s Party on policy issues, it is highly likely to encounter significant governance challenges in the next four years.
Technological developments in the media and political spheres reflect a broader transition as global societies grapple with the pace of change in the digital age. How we navigate these changes will be crucial for our evolution and prosperity in an era where information and governance are inextricably linked, and both are changing faster than ever.
Bernard Chan is a Hong Kong businessman and former Executive Council convenor