Sina Laubenstein at Mobile World Congress: Freedom of expression & combatting disinformation can coexist

Sina Laubenstein, Director of Programs at ISD Germany, joined experts at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) – Europe’s largest mobile technology trade fair – to discuss combating disinformation, the role of technology in business, restoring trust, and promoting a technology-enabled democracy.

Speaking on Deutsche Telekom’s panel, “Beyond the Share Button: Empowering Facts in the Digital Age“, she stressed that addressing disinformation does not undermine free expression but instead fosters a balanced digital space. Sina highlighted the need for accountability, critical thinking skills and regulatory measures like the Digital Services Act to counter online manipulation and safeguard democracy, warning there is a “growing erosion of trust in democratic institutions driven by fragmented information ecosystems”.

Sina further emphasised the importance of equipping individuals with critical thinking skills and providing accessible, low-barrier tools to navigate today’s complex digital landscape. She called for “resilience, responsibility and a willingness to challenge the status quo to protect democratic foundations at a time of increasing polarisation” and emphasised the crucial role of regulatory frameworks like the DSA in creating a more transparent and accountable digital environment.

Other panellists included Diego Ferri, Global Leader at EY.ai Academy, and Melanie Kubin-Hardewig, Vice President of Group Corporate Responsibility at Deutsche Telekom AG.

The panel is available online.