Social Media and the Public Interest : Media Regulation in the Disinformation Age

Facebook, a platform created by undergraduates in a Harvard dorm room, has transformed the ways millions of people consume news, understand the world, and participate in the political process. Despite taking on many of journalism’s traditional roles, Facebook and other platforms, such as Twitter and Google, have presented themselves as tech companies―and therefore not subject to the same regulations and ethical codes as conventional media organizations. Challenging such superficial distinctions, Philip M. Napoli offers a timely and persuasive case for understanding and governing social media as news media, with a fundamental obligation to serve the public interest. Social Media and the Public Interest explores how and why social media platforms became so central to news consumption and distribution as they met many of the challenges of finding information―and audiences―online. Napoli illustrates the implications of a system in which coders and engineers drive out journalists and editors as the gatekeepers who determine media content. He argues that a social media–driven news ecosystem represents a case of market failure in what he calls the algorithmic marketplace of ideas. To respond, we need to rethink fundamental elements of media governance based on a revitalized concept of the public interest. A compelling examination of the intersection of social media and journalism, Social Media and the Public Interest offers valuable insights for the democratic governance of today’s most influential shapers of news. Facebook, A Platform Created By Undergraduates In A Harvard Dorm Room, Has Transformed The Ways Millions Of People Consume News, Understand The World, And Participate In The Political Process. Despite Taking On Many Of Journalism's Traditional Roles, Facebook And Other Platforms, Such As Twitter And Google, Have Presented Themselves As Tech Companies - And Therefore Not Subject To The Same Regulations And Ethical Codes As Conventional Media Organizations. In Contrast To Tech Companies' Boasts Of Disruptive Innovation, Philip M. Napoli Offers A Timely And Persuasive Case For Seeing Social Media As News Media, With A Fundamental Obligation To Serve The Public Interest. Social Media And The Public Interest Explores How And Why Social-media Platforms Became So Central To News Consumption And Distribution As They Met Many Of The Challenges Of Finding Information - And Audiences - Online. Napoli Illustrates The Implications Of A System In Which Coders And Engineers Drive Out Journalists And Editors As The Gatekeepers Who Determine Media Content. He Argues That A Social-media-driven News Ecosystem Represents A Case Of Market Failure In What He Calls The Algorithmic Marketplace Of Ideas. To Respond, We Need To Rethink Fundamental Elements Of Media Governance Based On A Revitalized Concept Of The Public Interest. A Compelling Examination Of The Intersection Of Social Media And Journalism, Social Media And The Public Interest Offers Valuable Insights For The Democratic Governance Of Today's Most Influential Shapers Of News. The Taming Of The Web And The Rise Of Algorithmic News -- Algorithmic Gatekeeping And The Transformation Of News Organizations -- The First Amendment, Fake News, And Filter Bubbles -- The Structure Of The Algorithmic Marketplace Of Ideas -- The Public Interest Principle In Media Governance: Past And Present -- Social Media And The Public Interest -- Conclusion. Philip M. Napoli. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. ''Facebook, a platform created by undergraduates in a Harvard dorm room, has transformed the ways millions of people consume news, understand the world, and participate in the political process. Despite taking on many of journalism's traditional roles, Facebook and other platforms, such as Twitter and Google, have presented themselves as tech companies - and therefore not subject to the same regulations and ethical codes as conventional media organizations. In contrast to tech companies' boasts of disruptive innovation, Philip M. Napoli offers a timely and persuasive case for seeing social media as news media, with a fundamental obligation to serve the public interest. Social Media and the Public Interest explores how and why social-media platforms became so central to news consumption and distribution as they met many of the challenges of finding information - and audiences - online. Napoli illustrates the implications of a system in which coders and engineers drive out journalists and editors as the gatekeepers who determine media content. He argues that a social-media-driven news ecosystem represents a case of market failure in what he calls the algorithmic marketplace of ideas. To respond, we need to rethink fundamental elements of media governance based on a revitalized concept of the public interest. A compelling examination of the intersection of social media and journalism, Social Media and the Public Interest offers valuable insights for the democratic governance of today's most influential shapers of news.''-- Fourni par l'éditeur Table of Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction: A Tale of Two Materialisms Part I: Objects 1. Raw Stuff Disavowed 2. Of Rocks and Particles 3. Corpse Narratives as Literary History Part II: Assemblages 4. Politics and Praxis of Hyperfetishism 5. Digitalia from the Margins Conclusions: Extractivism Estranged Notes Bibliography Index