The Algorithmic Distribution of News: Policy Responses

Description

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. 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