Transforming epistemic communities for a healthier discourse in today’s Europe

Abstract

The institutional landscape in liberal democracies across Europe is undergoing transformation due to the wide-ranging adoption of digitalization measures, the expansion of neoliberal policies, and shifts in global geopolitical power arrangements. This transformation is reshaping the foundation of these societies and wields significant influence on the socio-psychological mindset of individuals, particularly in the realm of value-based and morally-driven choices. This article focuses on online information disruption and dysfunctional communication, exploring whether and how epistemic communities – primarily news media and educational organizations, as well as other branches of cultural industries such as libraries, museums, and media activism in general – should undergo “internal democratization” as a resilience strategy to combat these emerging problems. The objective is to become more attuned to and inclusive of citizens and their concerns, contributing to moral consciousness, thereby enhancing trust, fostering dialogue, and fortifying information integrity and societal cohesion.