Digital Distrust and Polarisation: 'We Need to Get Back to Engaging with One Another as a Society' | FRANCE 24 English

François Picard speaks with Valdemar Osted, partner and head of technology at Danish digital consultancy Common Consultancy, about the dangers of disinformation and the fear it generates. Osted challenges widely circulated claims that attacks on Russian data centres have triggered a sudden collapse in online engagement among supporters of Donald Trump and Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Drawing on social media monitoring and research into information ecosystems, Osted argues that the fear of disinformation can be as harmful to democracy as disinformation itself. He calls for a return to constructive dialogue and societal engagement, rather than succumbing to panic and polarisation. The interview explores how digital distrust shapes public discourse and what steps can be taken to rebuild a healthier information environment. Osted's insights offer a nuanced perspective on a pressing global issue.