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Technology can both centralize power, and it can subvert it. It can broadcast one voice, or it can cultivate a multitude of voices. It can foster opposition, and it can bring empathy.

But instead of describing how technology can improve our democratic process in the future, Ill highlight a social action thats already building momentum toward such an improvementand consider how technology can support that.

The 2016 election cycle demonstrated what happens when media outlets favor views over integrity, and audiences favor validation over depth. Outlets subsidized by ad impressionscoupled with audiences willing to share articles that confirmed their biasesprovided feedback loops to push some outlets to cater to bias. The walls between points of view thickened. There now seem to be multiple realities, each with media outlets to support them with fragments of a story instead of the full picture. Because of this divisiveness, people cannot understand each other, and even choose to ignore each other.

Post-election shock among those who did not believe Donald Trump could win the presidency appeared online, followed by organizing and action across a range of expressive outlets. In this, a new form of media emerged. Sticky notes placed on subway tiles revealed fear, love, and hope. Posters were made for protests, and then displayed publicly afterwards. For many, this public expression offered a renewed sense of purpose and confidence around activism.

Interactive and participatory media allows viewers to get involved, to become expressive, and give voice. It is inviting and contagious for those who share viewsseeing enough notes and posters in public makes it more welcoming to add your own. Visible support for a cause can translate into momentum. The communication is both digital and physicalexemplified by handmade posters and stories, which are then shared online. These stories build solidarity among those who share a vision for the future of the country, and they remind people that they arent alone. Stories can be personal, and convey vulnerability. They can also cultivate empathy to thin the wall between dissonant points of view. While most of the stories may not resonate across different opposing views, even just a few can start building bridges of understanding.

This kind of public participatory media encourages civic action. It moves from digital support to public support only when it is clear that such actions have an impact.

My tech suggestion isnt a shiny new product or algorithm. Its something simpler and familiar, but essential. People must document recent victories to give them visibility. When there is no sense of impact, people can feel jaded. Document the legislation that comes from public action. This isnt a complex tech solution, but with the proper attention it can have a wider lasting impact. It can celebrate public creativity, voice, and civic action.

Exploring interactive and participatory media encourages public expression and builds momentum. Documenting the impact closes the feedback loop. When purpose and momentum wane, these narratives show that participation can create change, and build a stronger democracy.

This article is part of a collaboration with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University.

Originally posted here:
Democracy Needs Storytellers - The Atlantic

BBC News

Poland march: Thousands protest against 'curbs on democracy' BBC News Thousands of Polish opposition supporters have been marching in Warsaw to protest against what they see as curbs on democracy imposed by the governing party. The opposition Civic Platform (PO) has accused the Law and Justice Party (PiS) of trying to ... Trump Slogan Turned on Head in Poland's Pro-Democracy RallyBloomberg all 23 news articles »

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Poland march: Thousands protest against 'curbs on democracy' - BBC News

Today, the final run-off election to determine Frances next president will take place. Center-left candidate Emmanuel Macron will face off against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. The day before, the country was rocked by a massive hacking attack on Macrons campaign.

France's election campaign commission said Saturday a significant amount of data and some fake information has been leaked on social networks, reported the Associated Press Philippe Sotto, John Leicester and Raphael Satter. It urged citizens not to relay the data on social media to protect the integrity of the French vote.

Does any of this sound familiar? If you paid even the slightest bit of attention to our latest presidential election, it should ring some bells. (Remember last years email hacking of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton campaign manager John Podesta?)

Though it isnt yet clear who is responsible, French officials are taking the threat extremely seriously.

The Macron team asked the campaign oversight commission Saturday to bring in cybersecurity agency ANSSI to study the hack, according to a government official. ANSSI can only be called in for cases where the cyberattack is 'massive and sophisticated' and the Macron hack appears to fit the bill, the official said, reported the AP. Someone on 4chan a site known, among other things, for cruel hoaxes and political extremism posted links to a large set of data Friday night.

This cyber tampering with free and fair elections in the western world isnt the first, nor will it be the last.

The head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency accused Russian rivals of gathering large amounts of political data in cyber attacks and said it was up to the Kremlin to decide whether it wanted to put it to use ahead of Germany's September elections, reported Reuters Andrea Shalal. Moscow denies it has in any way been involved in cyber attacks on the German political establishment. Hans-Georg Maassen, president of the BfV agency, said 'large amounts of data' were seized during a May 2015 cyber attack on the Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, which has previously been blamed on APT28, a Russian hacking group.

Color us not shocked if it turns out Russian hackers were behind the French attack. Whatever the case, these online attacks arent just targeted at the candidates themselves, but the idea of democracy itself. In the 21st century we must realize this is the new way wars will be fought. We must remain vigilant or we will all further suffer the consequences.

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Editorial: French hack an attack on democracy - Kokomo Tribune

Sunday May 7 2017 In Summary

President Uhuru Kenyatta was officially unveiled as the Jubilee candidate on Saturday in a series of ceremonies held by parties that support his re-election.

The endorsement came a day after National Super Alliance leader Raila Odinga was in turn handed the mantle as the candidate of the united opposition ticket.

There are things to celebrate about these developments. To a certain extent, it shows that Kenyas democracy is continuing to gain in maturity.

There are now two main political blocs, in contrast to the splintered parties that used to be witnessed in the 1990s.

Also, it is expected the election will be hotly contested, something which cannot be said of many other countries in the region.

Still, there is major uncertainty about the status of preparations for the election.

It is essential that all parties do their utmost to support the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission so that it can be ready to deliver a free, fair and credible vote.

Politicians should realise they have a major duty to ensure the country does not go back to the violence and disruption that marked the vote in 2007.

They should restrain themselves in their public pronouncements and should emphasise to their supporters that elections are not a do-or-die battle.

The framing of issues is also important. It is unfortunate that nearly all Kenyan elections are won or lost on the question of ethnic mobilisation rather than based upon policy debates. This is something that should change.

The parties should come up with manifestoes that offer costed plans for what they hope to achieve for Kenyans between 2017 and 2022.

Elections in Kenya are a time when too much anxiety exerts a negative effect on the economy and on crucial sectors such as agriculture.

All this can be prevented if the politicians that have been given the mantle of leadership conduct themselves over the next three months with a measure of maturity, restraint and responsibility. The race is on. Let it be a clean and fair contest.

Politicians should tell their supporters that elections are not a do-or-die battle.

Somali militants used rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) to shoot down two US helicopters in

The grand homecoming party at Bukhungu stadium was organised by SportPesa.

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EDITORIAL: Let's nurture our parties and democracy in peace - Daily Nation

THE European Union (EU) has injected another $5 million to capacitate civil society organizations involved in women and youth issues with a view to enhancing an equitable and democratic society.

This development comes amid governments suspicion that thewestern bloc seeks to influence the 2018 election result.

Early this year, the EU came under attack from government after it had announced a $5 million call for proposals to NGOs engaged indemocracy and good governance work.

The Zanu PF administration claimed the funds were meant to oil anti-government organizations so that they encourage citizens to vote the ruling party out of power.

In response, the EU head of delegation in Zimbabwe, Philippe Van Damme, said he was frustrated by the accusations adding that the western bloc had no hidden agenda in Zimbabwe.

However, the EU has announced another fund. In a statement recently, EU ambassador to Zimbabwe, Philippe Van Damme, said this round of funds will be accessed by organizations engaged in promoting an equitable, open and democratic society.

The specific objective is to promote the empowerment of young women and men and their participation in inclusive and sustainable growth within the overall concept of decent work for all, said Van Damme.

The call will prioritise support to multi-actor partnerships with the private sector and public authorities, socioeconomic initiatives aimed at sustainable wealth and job creation, sustainable service provision for productive activities and access to productive resources and improvement of the business environment and practices, said the statement.

It added, Specific emphasis is put on tackling injustice and inequality and enabling citizens and populations to benefit from inclusive social services, wealth and job creation.

This is fully in line with the strategic objective of the EU's development cooperation in Zimbabwe to reduce and eventually eradicate poverty and to support peace and stability, by supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law, with particular attention to the crosscutting thematic areas of gender equality, youth, vulnerable groups and migration.

Link:
Democracy: EU pours $5m into youths projects - New Zimbabwe.com