“How democracy depends on science — and must protect it”

Key points

• Scientists report government limits on academic freedom and funding decisions worldwide.
• European advisers propose three pillars to strengthen democracy through science.
• Pillar one: establish shared factual baselines and transparent data amid misinformation risks.
• Pillar two: bolster legitimacy of expertise and trust in institutions for democratic resilience.
• AI, platforms, and digital networks complicate information integrity and public discourse.