Net Policy Evening
Lectures
Livestream at https://stream.elevate.at
Live broadcast on Radio Helsinki 92,6
The Digital Policy Evening has, since 2015, addressed current topics in digital policy, raising awareness of upcoming technological and societal developments, and presenting them in an engaging and entertaining format. The audience can contribute questions and comments and continue discussions with the speakers afterwards in an informal setting.
Organized by Spektral (https://spektral.at) and epicenter.works (https://epicenter.works), this event is now taking place for the fifth time in Graz as part of ELEVATE.
Speakers:
Andrea Gutschi – The Age of Disinformation: Challenge or Opportunity for Journalism?
Fake news, clickbait, and campaign journalism expose the weaknesses of both traditional and new media. Platform logics increasingly shape journalistic decisions, while media outlets compete under economic pressure for attention and reach. Speed, sensationalism, and exaggeration often replace context, analysis, and careful reporting.
What is needed now is a clearer definition of journalism’s role: it should not compete with social networks for attention but act as a corrective in an increasingly polarized public debate. Reach cannot replace credibility, and social media cannot be an excuse for poor practice. This discussion examines how social-media dynamics undermine editorial standards, why newsrooms need to emancipate themselves, and what the consequences of declining quality are for public trust. The focus is on what constitutes professional journalism today and how it can reclaim its role as a reliable infrastructure for democratic public discourse.
Sebastian Kneidinger – Good Hackers, Bad Law?
As digitalization shapes our everyday lives, we depend increasingly on secure systems. Those who identify vulnerabilities and report them responsibly act in the public interest but still operate in a legal gray zone in Austria. epicenter.works itself has faced long-term criminal prosecution. The distinction is clear: criminals exploit or sell vulnerabilities, while ethical hacking follows the principle of responsible disclosure: find, report, fix. Open vulnerabilities are entry points for espionage, extortion, or sabotage and have become a geopolitical factor. This talk explores why security research is not just a niche concern for the IT community and discusses how Austria can strengthen digital resilience and prepare for the future.
Erwin Steinhauer – Using Freedom of Information: Practical Tips for Effective Requests
Since September 1, 2025, Austria has recognized the right to access information (Freedom of Information). This talk by the Forum Informationsfreiheit demonstrates how to submit effective information requests, the hurdles involved, and where Austria could improve compared to neighboring countries.
Moderator: Elisabeth Kury