Digital platforms such as TikTok, Google, and Facebook are playing an increasingly influential role in the production, distribution, and reception of news. They have become powerful information brokers, driving the platformization of the news ecosystem. This means that the logic of platforms permeates and influences individuals, organizations, and structures. This raises the question of how this development can be characterized and what effects it has on the micro, meso, and macro levels of the ecosystem. So far, such a holistic view of the phenomenon, taking into account interdependencies between the levels, has fallen short.
Therefore, this dissertation follows an integrative approach. Five interrelated contributions provide theoretical frameworks and qualitative explorations of relevant phenomena of platformization at all three levels. Based on institutional theory assumptions, it is first argued that the processes of change originate at the meso level, spill over to the micro and macro levels, and can lead to a homogenization of the entire news ecosystem. Next, the transformative role of (platform) power is discussed theoretically and systematically analyzed in terms of what platformization means for the autonomy of news media (meso level).
Subsequently, qualitative guided interviews are used to examine the extent to which platformization is reflected in the audience's understanding of news and its relevance to opinion formation (micro level). This is followed by a theoretical framework that analyzes the influence of platformization on the quality and social cohesion of publics (macro level). Based on this, systematic governance measures for ensuring diversity in the platform age are proposed.
Overall, it is found that the platformization of the news ecosystem is leading to a power-driven, long-term vertical and horizontal penetration of the news ecosystem by platform logic. However, a complete diffusion of platform logic cannot be observed. Rather, a hybridization of news media and platform logic is emerging at various levels. Based on these findings, the thesis concludes with a discussion of how media policy and public communication studies can contribute to ensuring a functional news ecosystem.
Project staff:
Pascal Schneiders