Thematic report
Towards Data Justice in Information Ecosystems (chapter 8)
News Media, Information Integrity and the Public Sphere
This report examines what research tells us about changes in legacy and online news media, and what can be done to promote information integrity and a democratic public sphere.
- What are the market structures in the news media industry, and the power relations between news media organizations and digital platforms?
- What is the relationship between news media, a healthy public sphere and democracy?
- What strategies are available to the journalism profession to work towards building trust in the news media?
The analysis covers news media market and platformization, motivations for mis- and disinformation, trust in legacy and online news outlets, news consumption habits, and the role of information weaponization in polarization.
It shows how:
- Advertising markets concentration and platformization affect the media industry and the public trust in news, hence the urgency to enhance news organizations bargaining power over platforms.
- Evidence of mis- and disinformation and political polarization has inconsistent findings on causality and effects, and self-imposed filter bubbles may be beneficial to marginalized groups.
- Besides ultra-partisan movements, Governments and political parties play a role in information manipulation and weaponization, including during elections.
Thematic reports
Other chapters
Information ecosystems and democracy (chapter 1)
This chapter begins with an introduction that frames the central themes of the report, covers the key concepts and definitions, delves into the challenges facing democracies focusing on mis- and disinformation, acknowledges the limitations of the report and provides an outline of the report.
News Media, Information Integrity and the Public Sphere (chapter 2)
What does research tell us about changes in legacy and online news media and what can be done to promote information integrity and a democratic public sphere?
- The analysis shows how platform dominance and advertizing market concentration impact news media finances and public trust, with variations across countries.
- It highlights inconsistent findings on mis- and disinformation and urges to strengthen news organizations’ bargaining power.
- The study emphasizes government roles in information manipulation and the protective role of filter bubbles for marginalized groups.
- It calls for global studies on media trust, polarization, and news sustainability.
Artificial Intelligence, Information Integrity and Democracy (chapter 3)
What does research tell us on the properties of AI systems (machine learning algorithms), their role in content governance, and internationally protected human rights?
- This report examines how AI development intersects with safeguarding human rights, emphasizing states’ responsibilities to address challenges from new actors, tools, and power dynamics.
- It underscores the inevitability of bias in AI systems, the need for transparency in algorithms and data, and the risks of AI-driven content governance.
- It highlights that effective content moderation requires multifaceted, ethical, and transparent approaches with legal frameworks geared towards accountability, and the regulation of personalization systems.
- It calls for research on regional human rights applications, data diversity, independent algorithmic audits, and addressing emerging AI divides.
Big Tech and Governing Uses of Data (chapter 4)
What does research tell us on the power of big tech companies and approaches to governing data extraction and use and influences on political deliberation?
- This report reveals injustices associated with the interplay of data extraction and data brokering.
- It underscores the role of monopolistic actors and digital platforms in shaping data production and governance, replicating injustices and exacerbating inequalities.
- It explores how permissive legislation and platforms business models fuel mis- and disinformation, global data dependencies, and exploitative online labor markets.
- It highlights resistance strategies from Global Majority World countries while addressing their vulnerability to misinformation campaigns and datafication harmful consequences, and calls for more research into these phenomena.
Awareness of Mis- and Disinformation and the Literacy Challenge (chapter 5)
What does research tell us about changes in legacy and online news media and what can be done to promote information integrity and a democratic public sphere?
- The analysis shows how platform dominance and advertizing market concentration impact news media finances and public trust, with variations across countries.
- It highlights inconsistent findings on mis- and disinformation and urges to strengthen news organizations’ bargaining power.
- The study emphasizes government roles in information manipulation and the protective role of filter bubbles for marginalized groups.
- It calls for global studies on media trust, polarization, and news sustainability.
Governing Information Ecosystems: Legislation and Regulation (chapter 6)
What does research tell us about changes in legacy and online news media and what can be done to promote information integrity and a democratic public sphere?
- The analysis shows how platform dominance and advertizing market concentration impact news media finances and public trust, with variations across countries.
- It highlights inconsistent findings on mis- and disinformation and urges to strengthen news organizations’ bargaining power.
- The study emphasizes government roles in information manipulation and the protective role of filter bubbles for marginalized groups.
- It calls for global studies on media trust, polarization, and news sustainability.