This volume explores how governments, policymakers and newsrooms have responded to the algorithmic distribution of the news. Contributors analyse the ongoing battle between platforms and publishers, evaluate recent attempts to manage these tensions through policy reform and consider whether algorithms can be regulated to promote media diversity and stop misinformation and hate speech. Chapter authors also interview journalists and find out how their work is changing due to the growing importance of algorithmic systems. Drawing together an international group of scholars, the book takes a truly global perspective offering case studies from Switzerland, Germany, Kenya, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and China. The collection also provides a series of critical analyses of recent policy developments in the European Union and Australia, which aim to provide a more secure revenue base for news media organisations. A valuable resource for journalism and policy scholars and students, Governing the Algorithmic Distribution of News is an important guide for anyone hoping to understand the central regulatory issues surrounding the online distribution of news.
Author(s): James Meese, Sara Bannerman
Series: Palgrave Global Media Policy and Business
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 316
City: Cham
Acknowledgements
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction: Governing the Algorithmic Distribution of the News
Algorithmic Governance: Transparency, Diversity or Departure
Major Concepts in News, Algorithms and the Public Interest
Historical Institutionalism: Path Dependency, Change and Critical Junctures
Change and Path Dependency: The Findings of This Volume
Chapter Overview
Future Directions: The Geopolitics of Communication Policy
References
Part I In the Newsroom: Algorithms, Bots, Business Models, and Privacy
2 Governing the Algorithmic Distribution of News in China: The Case of Jinri Toutiao
Governance and the Institutional Politics of Algorithmic Systems
Do Algorithms Need an ‘Editor-In-Chief’? the Debate on Toutiao and Its Algorithms
Governing Algorithmic News: State and Corporate Actions and Policy Responses
The Politics of Governing Algorithmic News: A ‘Path Dependency’ Approach
Conclusion
References
3 Algorithms, Platforms, and Policy: The Changing Face of Canadian News Distribution
Introduction
Literature Review
Metrics, Analytics, and Algorithms on the Floor of Canadian Newsrooms: The Business of Journalism
Swinging from Scale to Subscribers
Digital-Only Delivery
Algorithms and Analytics from an Agency Perspective
The View from French-Language Newsrooms in Canada
The Impact of Policy
Conclusion
References
4 ‘Good Morning, here’s today’s News’: Delivering News via the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Facebook Messenger Chatbot
Method
Distributing News via the NewsBot
Analytics and Algorithmic News Selection
Automated Distribution
Subscriber Personalisation
Humanising the Bot
Conclusion
References
5 Algorithms and the News Media in Kenya: Emerging Issues in Data Policy and Accountability
Introduction
Kenya’s digital and Data Infrastructure
Data use and algorithmic practices in the Kenyan newsrooms
Data regulation and rethinking algorithmic accountability
AI and data policy: A newsroom perspective
Algorithmic news distribution: Nation Media Group’s case
Conclusion
References
6 Advertising, Algorithms and Audiences: The Unchanging Economics of Online Journalism
Introduction
Institutions and News Economics
Going Social and Embracing the Algorithm
Post-Social News Economics: Algorithmic Defunding and the Persistence of Advertising
The Perils of Public Funding
When Platforms Are Forced to Save Journalism
Conclusion: Advertising Futures and a Two-Speed Economy
References
Part II Current Approaches: Copyright or Competition
7 Australian and EU Policy Responses to Algorithmic News Distribution: A Comparative Analysis
Introduction
Defining the Problem: Copyright or Competition Policy?
The Australian Policy Process
The Media Bargaining Code
The EU Policy Process
The EU Press Publishers’ Right
Comparing the Australian and EU Initiatives
Conclusion
References
8 Private Property vs. Public Policy Vision in Ancillary Copyright Law Reform
Introduction
Theoretical Background: Private Property vs. Public Policy Vision
Method
Analysis and Results
Data Set 1
Theme 1: Committed to Future-Oriented Actions
Theme 2: Rethinking Media for State-Of-The-Art Usability
Theme 3: New Rules in New Markets
Data Set 2
Theme 4: Modernizing Copyright
Theme 5: Individual User Welfare
Theme 6: Preserve the Media Landscape in the Digital Age
Discussion
Conclusion
References
9 Big Tech and News: A Critical Approach to Digital Platforms, Journalism, and Competition Law
Introduction
Media Plurality and the Provision of Public Interest News
The Changing Regulation of the News Media Industry in Australia
The Application of the CCA to Competition Between News Media Businesses and Digital Platforms
The Protection of Non-economic Goals Under the CCA
The Assessment of Digital Markets Under the CCA
Reforms Proposed in the DPI
Conclusion
References
Part III Regulatory Challenges
10 New Zealand: Curbing Hate Speech, But Leaving Platforms to Self-Regulate
Introduction
A Starting Point: Are Platforms Publishers?
The Christchurch Call: Getting Facebook to Listen
News Media and Competition: A Regulatory Silence
The News Industry Response: Leaving Facebook?
Policy Response: Algorithm Charter
Conclusion
References
11 Diversity, Fake News and Hate Speech: The German Response to Algorithmic Regulation
Introduction
Conceptual Approach and Methods
MStV and NetzDG as Pioneering Regulatory Frameworks
MStV: The Regulation of “Media Intermediaries”
The Filter Bubble Metaphor
The Echo Chamber Narrative
Threat to Journalistic Quality/Background Reporting
Media Diversity and Regulation as Risk Provision
European Law as the “Sword of Damocles”
Compliance Regulations for Social Networks in the NetzDG
Threat Scenario Based on Hate Speech
Threat Scenario Based on Fake News
The Regulatory Architecture of NetzDG
Conclusion
References
12 Switzerland, Algorithms and the News: A Small Country Looking for Global Solutions
Introduction
Methodology
The Political Debate About Digitalization, Algorithms, and Social Media
A Minimalist Approach to AI and Algorithmic Governance
A Question of Self-Regulation?
Conclusion
References
Part IV Future Horizons: Algorithms and Media Policy
13 Toward Platform Democracy: Imagining an Open-Source Public Service Social Media Platform
Introduction
Identifying the Problem
Root Causes
Rethinking Platform Power
A New Role for Public Agencies
A Distributed Public Platform
The Advantages
Conclusion
References
14 Access Diversity Through Online News Media and Public Service Algorithms: An Analysis of News Recommendation in Light of Article 10 ECHR
Introduction
Access to News in the Digital Environment
The Digital Diversity Chain: Introducing ‘Access Diversity’
From Source, Through Content, to Exposure
From Source, Through Content, Exposure and Access, to Exposure
A Right to Receive a Diversity of Viewpoints Concerning Matters of Public Interest via Digital (News) Channels
Takeaways in Respect of News Recommendation
Conclusion
References
15 The Shortcomings of the Diversity Diet: Public Service Media, Algorithms and the Multiple Dimensions of Diversity
Introduction
Approach
Method
Background
Diversity as Understood by PSB/PSM Journalists and Editors
Diversity in the World of Recommender Systems
A Diversity Algorithm for PSM?
A Thought Experiment
Identifying and Describing the Objects of Diversity
Modelling Diversity
Discussion
References
Index
