Discussion
The impact of digital media on societies is a subject of continuous debate. While some emphasize the corrosive influence of disinformation and hate culture on social cohesion, some highlight the potential of digital platforms for enabling emancipatory civil movements, like #metoo.
In his publication "Capital and Resentment", German literature researcher Joseph Vogl outlines the various connections between capitalism, financial markets, digital platforms, and the polarisation of society. Digital capitalism, in which profit is generated from information, stirs up resentment and thus also endangers key functionalities of the public space.
Schedule:
Date: 24 November 2023
Time: 18:30 h onwards
Venue: Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi
In this discussion, experts and activists from Germany and India will debate with the audience the following questions:
- How can we balance the commercial interests of digital platforms with the need for accurate information and constructive public debate?
- How can we ensure equitable access to digital platforms, particularly for marginalized communities, to promote social justice?
- How do digital spaces influence public movements, the rights of individuals and the role of the state?
- If we could design the online spaces that we wish for - how would they look like in order to facilitate debate, mutual understanding, and provide personal safety?
This event is part of the program Alternative Futures - Re-Imagining Digital Spaces, which endeavours to stimulate a forward-looking discourse on digital platform design and governance, fostering collaboration between German and Indian civil society institutions and researchers in the pursuit of enhanced civic engagement.
The discussion is a collaboration between Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi and the Internet Freedom Foundation.
Speakers
© Elisa Lindinger
Elisa Lindinger
Elisa Lindinger is co-director and co-founder of SUPERRR Lab, a Berlin-based feminist organization dedicated to designing diverse and equitable futures in tech and beyond. Trained as an archaeologist, Elisa has worked in the fields of culture and computer science for more than a decade, both inside and outside of academia. Her work focuses on the social impact of new technologies and their regulations.
© Fionn Große
Erik Tuchtfeld
Erik Tuchtfeld is co-chair of D64 - Center for Digital Progress, one of Germany's largest civil society organisations for digital policy. With its thirteen working groups, D64 addresses all aspects of digital transformation, with a current focus on digital public spaces and possible responses to the rise of right-wing populism in Europe and beyond. A lawyer by training, Erik's main areas of interest are the regulation of social platforms, freedom of expression and the right to privacy in the digital sphere.
© Aparajita Bharti
Aparajita Bharti
Aparajita Bharti is a Founding Partner of The Quantum Hub and co-founder of Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) which works with young people to increase their engagement with democratic processes. Before starting these two organisations, Aparajita was Manager, Corporate Affairs and Communications at Snapdeal where she was responsible for managing media messaging while engaging with policy and legislative issues that affect the digital commerce sector. Aparajita holds an MPP degree from Oxford University and her work cuts across the domains of gender, tech policy and integrity of India’s democratic institutions.
© Vrinda Bhandari
Vrinda Bhandari
Vrinda, a Rhodes Scholar with dual Masters in Law and Public Policy from the University of Oxford and an undergraduate law degree from NLS, Bangalore, is a litigating lawyer in Delhi. She specializes in digital rights, technology, and privacy, contributing significantly to cases like the Aadhaar challenge, restoration of internet in Jammu & Kashmir, and constitutional challenges to sedition.
Moderation
© Aditi Agrawal
Aditi Agrawal
Aditi Agrawal is a special correspondent at Hindustan Times where she reports on technology policy, privacy, online free speech, cyber security and surveillance. She also reports on the election commission of India.
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