Embassy in Washington hosts event on social and elections

(ANSA) - WASHINGTON, 11 DIC - The importance of social media and the digital world in influencing voter orientation: this was the theme of the event organised yesterday by the Italian Embassy in Washington as part of the Digital Diplomacy Series, now in its 12th year.
    Opening the proceedings, Ambassador Mariangela Zappia emphasised that "the debate on the growing weight of social media in orienting the public is relevant because it serves to understand how these platforms end up influencing the way we all inform ourselves: it is a debate on the functioning and health of our democracies, particularly at the crucial time of elections".
    After the ambassador's speech, the event continued with a presentation by expert Steve Clemons, a veteran of American political journalism and columnist for major American newspapers. This was followed by a debate, moderated by Adrienne LaFrance of The Atlantic, with Gianni Riotta, professor at Princeton University and Director of the Data Lab Research Centre at LUISS, Lia Haberman, professor at UCLA, author of ICYMI and expert in digital marketing, Elise Labott, journalist and fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Aaron Parnas, Washington-based content creator and influencer (with over 1 million followers on TikTok).
    At the close of a year particularly packed with important global electoral appointments, and in the aftermath of the US elections, the event stimulated a participatory debate on the role of social media in electoral campaigns. Topics such as disinformation, the influence of state and non-state actors, digital campaigning and the role of influencers and content creators were addressed. The discussion also delved into the role of social media platforms and algorithms in influencing voters, network conversations and digital communities.