Disinformation—in the traditional media, online, and elsewhere—is a major challenge to democracy. How can disinformation be combatted in the context of the proliferation of fake news? What role can citizens play? This panel discussion, organised as a part of the Geneva Democracy Week, will put four panelists, from different countries and with different backgrounds, into conversation on these pressing questions.

Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou will analyse, from a global perspective, how "populism" has been constructed through specific communication strategies. Anna Leander will delineate some strategies to resist populism by using social media and how these relate to emotions.  Ana Arana Antelo from the European Commission will reflect on the initiatives from the European Union designed to promote citizens’ intervention in monitoring and shaping information flows. Flavia Kleiner, who launched Operation Libero in Switzerland, will share her experience of organising a movement of young citizens against right-wing-inspired referenda, responding to populists that “don’t have a monopoly on emotions”.

Panelists:

• Ana Arana Antelo, European Commission, Adviser to the Deputy Director General for Research and Innovation, covering Citizens’ involvement in science and innovation policies

• Flavia Kleiner, Co-President and Executive Director, Operation Libero, Switzerland

• Anna Leander, Professor, International Relations/ Political Science

• Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou, Professor of International History and Head of the International History Department, Graduate Institute, Geneva

Moderator:

• Shalini Randeria, Professor, Department of Anthropology and Sociology and Director of Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy
  
   

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For further information on the events during Democracy Week, please consult the poster below.