In a world where social networks have become the new transmission towers of media, we are witnessing the erosion of trust and the rise of platforms that often operate without accountability to citizens for truth, objectivity, and ethics. As these digital giants shape our social fabric, it is imperative to rethink and rebuild a new kind of social infrastructure — one that is public and dedicated to the common good.
Social Networks and media fundamentally transformed the way information is disseminated and consumed. In the past, media transmission was largely a one-way street, with transmission towers broadcasting to passive audiences. Today, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Social networks are now the primary conduits through which information flows, creating a dynamic, interactive, and often chaotic environment where users are both consumers and producers of content. This shift has brought about unprecedented connectivity and democratisation of information, but it has also led to significant challenges.
One of the most pressing issues is the lack of trust in these platforms. The algorithms that drive social networks are designed to maximize engagement, often at the expense of truth and objectivity. This has resulted in the spread of misinformation, the amplification of echo chambers, and the erosion of public discourse. Moreover, these platforms are driven by commercial interests that prioritise profit over the public good, leading to a misalignment between their objectives and the needs of society.
To address these challenges, we must envision and implement a new kind of social infrastructure — one that is rooted in the principles of public service, accountability, and inclusivity. This “public social infrastructure” should be composed of smaller, community-driven social platforms that operate as public service entities. These platforms, or “small social transmitters,” can serve as the digital equivalent of community radio stations or public access television, providing spaces for genuine social interaction, civic engagement, and the dissemination of reliable information.
The potential for such a public social infrastructure is immense, particularly in regions like Africa, where community, social, and oral traditions are deeply ingrained in society. When combined with the democratizing effects of digital technology, these traditions can create a powerful mesh of interconnected communities that can drive positive social change and economic development. By empowering local communities with the tools to build and maintain their own social platforms, we can create a more inclusive and innovation-driven economy that serves all humans.
This vision of a public social infrastructure is not just a utopian ideal; it is a necessary response to the current state of social media. To achieve this, we need concerted efforts from governments, enterprises, and civil society to fund, regulate, and support the development of these platforms. Governments can play a crucial role by providing the necessary funding and regulatory frameworks to ensure that these platforms operate in the public interest. Enterprises can contribute by developing the technology and infrastructure needed to support these platforms, while civil society can help to build and sustain the communities that will use them.
One of the key advantages of a public social infrastructure is its potential to rebuild trust in social media. By operating as public service entities, these platforms would be accountable to their users and the broader community, rather than to shareholders or advertisers. This would create a more transparent and trustworthy environment where users can engage in meaningful social interactions without the fear of being manipulated by algorithms or commercial interests.
Furthermore, a public social infrastructure would provide a more equitable and inclusive digital space. Unlike the current social media landscape, which is dominated by a few large corporations, this new infrastructure would be composed of a diverse array of small social platforms, each serving the unique needs and interests of its community. This would help to ensure that all voices are heard and that everyone has access to the digital tools and resources they need to participate fully in society.
The implementation of a public social infrastructure would also have significant economic benefits. By fostering a more inclusive and innovation-driven economy, these platforms would create new opportunities for economic growth and development. They would provide a space for local businesses to connect with their communities, for entrepreneurs to launch new ventures, and for individuals to develop new skills and find new employment opportunities. In this way, a public social infrastructure would help to drive economic development and improve the overall quality of life for all citizens.
However, the creation of a public social infrastructure is not without its challenges. One of the main obstacles is the complexity of the solution, requiring as it does, the choreographed behaviour of various stakeholders in society.
Mostly, all of the parts already exist — the devices, network connectivity, software solutions are all out there, but some assembly and focus is required. With that focus and urgency, the remaining issues are rapidly solved.
So far, we have ceded the ground to the tech startups, perhaps seduced as we were by their stated intention of “serving humanity” and doing noble things in the world. Now we can see that many of those promises were hollow and feel good statements to make more palatable the risk of moving aggressively.
So institutions, slow moving and analogue, were caught napping by the change, leading to rapid change and progress, but also many unintended consequences of toxic and damaging effects on society.
But now we know better and can assess better how we navigate this future and despite these challenges, the potential benefits of a public social infrastructure far outweigh the costs. By creating a more trustworthy, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital space, we can rebuild trust in social media, foster economic development, and improve the overall quality of life for all citizens. This is the promise of a public social infrastructure — a promise that we must strive to fulfill.
In conclusion, the need for a public social infrastructure is clear. As social networks continue to replace traditional transmission towers, we must build a new kind of social infrastructure that is rooted in the principles of public service, accountability, and inclusivity. By doing so, we can create a more trustworthy, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital space that serves the needs of all humans. This is the path forward — a path that will help to rebuild trust, foster economic development, and create a more positive and inclusive future for all.
As with everything in this inverted, accelerated and hyper-personalised future, the opportunity is inverted as well. Just like the developing economies thrived on OTT mobile vs landlines, community private networks can go over-the-top of the “landline” hyper-scale networks to accelerate us into a more connected, social, personal and intimate future.
