How is information changing in an (increasingly) digitised world?

On 10 September at 6:30 pm at Studio 2 RSI in Lugano-Besso, SSR Svizzera italiana CORSI is hosting an evening event to explore how information has evolved with the rise of digitalisation. This topic was inspired by an interview with Professor Gabriele Balbi of the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI).

Communication has taken on a leading role in all professional fields today, explained Professor Gabriele Balbi, who cited the example of two key sectors: economics and politics: "In the political sphere, MPs are increasingly utilising social media to create a more direct relationship with their constituents through disintermediation processes. Conversely, on the economic front, large digital companies, particularly those based in the US and, in some cases, Chinese tech giants, have established themselves on the international market in recent years. These companies have revolutionised consumer habits and emerged as significant global economic players. Just a few decades ago, media and communication companies were not at the forefront of market capitalisation rankings, which were predominantly occupied by oil, pharmaceutical, luxury goods, and automobile companies. In short, investment in communication and its global value has surged.

In recent years, the way we communicate has changed: "Devices such as computers and smartphones, along with infrastructure like the internet, have shifted the focus of communication towards digital platforms. This transformation has had a significant socio-cultural impact, particularly on how interpersonal relationships are formed", explained the USI professor, who nevertheless pointed out that "technology and society change each other".

Shifts in communication have changed how we access information. This has caused a crisis in traditional media, like print newspapers, while online information continues to grow: "There are at least three important aspects of this situation to consider. First, much of the content shared on social media is derived from traditional media sources and is often republished on social platforms immediately and at no cost. Second, there has been a significant shift in advertising spending; a large portion is now directed towards social media and digital giants like Google. This shift has progressively diminished the revenues that once supported the economic sustainability of traditional journalism. Finally, it is notable how users seek information today, increasingly preferring a horizontal and targeted approach. As a result, it is not surprising that interpersonal communication—particularly through applications like WhatsApp—has emerged as one of the primary sources of information for many users," observed Professor Balbi.

However, these changes also pose a threat to the democratic system, as emerges from a study by Oxford University's Reuters Institute's Digital News Report 2024: "More than 60% of respondents no longer believe the news, but above all, about 40% voluntarily decide to avoid getting information," recalled the USI professor.

In such a delicate context, the educational role played by universities is fundamental: "There is no doubt that universities have a central role to play. Their main task is to stimulate critical thinking, a term that is often abused. Still, in my view, it essentially means training independent reasoning and doubt as an approach to the problems of the world, including technology.

Furthermore, it is their task to learn about these tools and understand how to use them, without propagating denialism, but rather contributing to the spread of their conscious and declared use, even in the academic field. In addition, universities can promote a process of digital literacy, facilitating the mastery of these new digital tools: they can do this through projects and awareness-raising among the public and their students. In general, I believe that universities should not impose restrictions on the use of new technologies, such as banning smartphones or ChatGPT. Instead, they should engage in open dialogue with their students, fostering understanding and awareness about how to use these tools effectively," explained Professor Balbi.

According to the USI professor, the role of public service broadcasting also remains central: "Public service broadcasting is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it guarantees unbiased information open to diverse perspectives. Moreover, it plays a crucial role in fact-checking, providing verified and reliable content that citizens can trust."

The full interview with Professor Gabriele Balbi for SSR Svizzera italiana CORSI is available at the following link. (Italian only)