This paper delves into the pressing challenges and emerging trends within contemporary information ecosystems, emphasizing their potential repercussions on the public sphere and, consequently, on development and democratic governance. By scrutinizing the characteristics and trends of digital information ecosystems, the paper sheds light on the imminent challenges they cause for open and democratic societies.

The paper argues that safeguarding open and inclusive public spheres in the online age is a critical governance challenge of the next 5-10 years. This challenge gains heightened urgency amid an overarching decline in democratic indicators and escalating concerns about the exploitation of technology by authoritarian leaders. Despite the democratising potential of digital information ecosystems, the paper underscores that the associated risks collectively pose a formidable obstacle to democratic governance and development.