Community organisations are the beating heart of our democracy

What does it mean to fight for, to advocate for, democracy? Among other things, it means improving legislation to safeguard democracy. It means reducing misinformation and disinformation in the public domain, and, related to this, insisting on media accountability. It means responding to the reality that deepfakes, digital surveillance and AI-generated content are on the rise, which generates social disharmony. AI-driven fear of speaking out is another phenomenon that leads to the breakdown of social cohesion.

Of course AI does have many positive uses. For example, AI-driven transcription can be extremely helpful in educational and meeting settings, particularly for neurodiverse people and people with disability. Used unthinkingly, though, AI may also be eroding the private spaces where free thought and debate have historically flourished. When online meetings are recorded by default and AI tools are used to summarise our conversations – often without genuine consent – we risk normalising self-censorship.

People may feel they cannot speak candidly, which limits the diversity of perspectives that are essential both to a functioning democracy and to good governance (which is the primary concern of my organisation, the Institute of Community Directors Australia). If individuals, particularly young people, do not realise they have the right to refuse being recorded, then we are allowing a quiet but significant shift away from the expectation of personal privacy that comes in a democratic culture.

Democracy depends on open dialogue and dissent, but when surveillance becomes the norm – and that is what the recording of meetings could be seen to be – we may be encouraging conformity rather than debate. If people fear that their words, voice and image could be misinterpreted, stored indefinitely, or used against them in the future, they may hesitate to challenge prevailing ideas or critique those in power. This chilling effect weakens democratic engagement, reducing the plurality of voices that make democracy robust. The commodification of privacy is not just a personal concern: it is a societal risk.

Those who do not readily raise their voices to compete with misinformation and disinformation – but want to – are contending with many obstacles. One obstacle is the polarisation of language online and a culture of fear of “cancellation”. A partner obstacle is the concern that if they are recorded, their message could be used against them in the future. Is this honestly the democracy we thought we were living in? It sounds more like a dystopian Orwell or Huxley book than our aspiration for society. This endangers good decision making by governments and organisations at every level – community, local, state and national.

While Australia can boast a strong electoral system that is robust with checks and balances, we also have rising housing costs, wage stagnation, and cost-of-living pressures that are widening the gap between different socioeconomic groups. Economic instability can make people disengage from democratic processes, and that, in turn, worsens institutional trust. Furthermore, while multiculturalism is a strength or aspiration in much of Australia, we also have ongoing issues with racism.

Democracy isn’t static; it thrives when people push for transparency, fairness and inclusion. The work isn’t just for governments or institutions – it’s for all of us in our daily lives. The question is: how will we each contribute to strengthening democracy in 2025 and beyond?

More information

Board confidentiality policy: Considers whether board meetings should be recorded, and how boards can ensure staff and volunteers feel safe speaking up.

Great advocacy starts here: This article addresses how boards can engage in advocacy for democratic protections.

Ten tips for leading in a polarised world: This help sheet addresses several actions leaders can take.