The importance of social media and the digital world in shaping voters’ preferences: this was the theme of the event organized yesterday by the Italian Embassy in Washington as part of its Digital Diplomacy Series, now in its twelfth year.
Opening the session, the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Mariangela Zappia, emphasized that “the debate on the growing influence of social media in shaping public opinion is crucial because it helps us understand how these platforms end up influencing the way we all access information. It is a debate about the functioning and health of our democracies, especially at the critical moment of elections.”
Following the Ambassador’s remarks, the event featured a presentation by Steve Clemons, a communication and political journalism expert, veteran of American political journalism, and commentator for major U.S. outlets. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Adrienne LaFrance of The Atlantic. Panelists included Gianni Riotta, Professor at Princeton University and Director of the Data Lab Research Centre at LUISS, Lia Haberman, Professor at UCLA and author of ICYMI as well as a digital marketing expert, Elise Labott, journalist and fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Aaron Parnas, content creator and influencer with over one million followers on TikTok, based in Washington.
Marking the close of a year filled with significant global electoral events, including the U.S. elections, the event sparked an engaging debate on the role of social media in electoral campaigns. Topics discussed included disinformation, the influence of state and non-state actors, digital campaigning, and the role of influencers and content creators. The discussion also delved into the role of social media platforms and algorithms in influencing voters, steering online conversations, and shaping digital communities.
A full recording of the event is available on the Embassy’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ws6w6-N4zXY
