DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY UNDER THREAT: CONFRONTING DISINFORMATION WITH LEGISLATIVE AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS

Authors

Sophia Brociner

Abstract

In the modern digital era, disinformation has evolved from a political strategy into a fundamental threat to democratic governance. This Note contends that the absence of comprehensive federal legislation addressing political disinformation on social media has compromised both the integrity of elections and the public’s trust in government institutions. By analyzing the disinformation campaigns that shaped the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections, this Note demonstrates how false and AI-generated content, amplified by both foreign and domestic actors, has manipulated voters, deepened political polarization, and destabilized public confidence in democratic processes. The discussion examines how rapid technological development, insufficient regulatory oversight, and the misapplication of First Amendment principles have enabled the unchecked spread of false information online. After evaluating the shortcomings of existing domestic and international regulatory frameworks, this Note proposes a legislative model that would establish accountability for public officials who knowingly disseminate false information, require social media platforms to meet defined transparency and authenticity standards, and expand coordinated federal and state initiatives in media literacy and election security. These reforms aim to balance constitutional protections with the urgent need to preserve democratic resilience and to safeguard the integrity of the nation’s informational ecosystem.

Recommended Citation

Sophia Brociner, DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY UNDER THREAT: CONFRONTING DISINFORMATION WITH LEGISLATIVE AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS, 34 J. L. & Pol'y 203 (2025).
Available at: https://brooklynworks.brooklaw.edu/jlp/vol34/iss1/8