"This report is an invitation to grapple with the complex interplay between infrastructure, media systems, civil society, and public sector institutions. Our findings suggest that effective policy solutions must: acknowledge the historical, political, economic, and social forces that shape information flows and sociotechnical systems; develop holistic approaches that consider the entire ecosystem rather than isolated interventions; understand how data governance and AI systems fundamentally influence information production, dissemination, and consumption; use a wider array of authorities and policy tools to create legal, regulatory and normative frameworks that protect democratic values while empowering communities and individuals who are embedded in increasingly opaque sociotechnical systems. By exploring both individual-level phenomena and systemic dynamics, this report suggests how legislative, regulatory, competition, education and other public authorities as well as tech platforms and citizens themselves all have a role to play in cultivating information ecosystems where democracy can better thrive." (Foreword by Courtney Radsch, page v-vi)

"As a result of our collective engagement with three research assessment panels comprised of over 60 volunteer researchers, coordinated by six rapporteurs and led by a Scientific Director, this landmark report gathers more than 1,600 sources. The report tackles issues as diverse as: Trust in news and tech platforms’ role in its evolution; how mis- and disinformation is linked to societal and political polarization; and how data governance can ensure justice in a dataled economy. This inaugural global assessment does not provide silver bullets to tackle these issues. It zeroes in on what we know and can agree on and what we don’t know or don’t agree about yet. It defines a clear pathway for future research and offers actionable insights for policymakers and tech company representatives. We hope that the report can be a scientific blueprint for multidisciplinary, collaborative and open research methodologies and that it can serve as a beacon for policy and action communities writ large." (Foreword by Camille Grenier and Iris Boyerm page iv)