“Digital platforms can spread salacious and false stories at a speed and scale that no traditional media can match. fact) ensures that the power to distribute or suppress information is concentrated in just two or three large internet platforms.The modern internet concentrates rather than decentralizes power”.
The above is an excerpt from ” Dissatisfaction with Liberalism” (written by Francis Fukuyama, published by Shinchosha).

In recent years, it is said that an increasing number of countries are turning their backs on democracy. Some say that the number of democratic countries has declined to about one-third of the total. A reality that was unthinkable 30 years ago is currently unfolding, and behind this is the explosive spread of the Internet.
When the Internet first appeared, expressions such as ” democratization of information” and ” a flat world” were prevalent, and it was hoped that the Internet would further promote democracy.
However, Mr. Fukuyama argues that in reality, rather than decentralizing power, it is concentrating it. I am one of those who agree with this statement.

As we can see from China and Russia, the Internet is compatible with totalitarian and authoritarian countries. This is because it is an effective tool for centralizing power.
Democratic countries must reconsider the nature of the Internet. Furthermore, we must develop and disseminate an information distribution platform from scratch to replace the Internet.
The information society will continue to develop. However, I want the Internet era to end soon. Otherwise, the future of democracy is bleak. What is needed is an information distribution platform that eliminates the problems inherent in the Internet. (Kei Kitajima)