Digital Media Shadowing Democracy: Technology, Communication, and Power
New
Gothenburg: Nordicom, University of Gothenburg (2026), 282 pp.
ISBN 978-91-89864-28-3 (print); 978-91-89864-29-0 (pdf)
"The book’s message is brief: Liberal democracies are at risk. Democratic decay has numerous causes, but technological innovations and profit-driven dynamics are shaping societal relations in ways that intensify disagreements and polarisation, undermining informed citizenship. The growing number of uncertainties associated with the new communications order, further enhanced by the rise of information warfare waged by both radical domestic actors and geopolitical powers in recent years, has become a reason for concern in liberal democracies, yet academic analyses of and policy responses to the challenges of the new media landscape are lagging behind technological transformation. Policymakers seeking regulatory answers need to weigh and balance a range of considerations, including democratic standards such as media freedom and pluralism, sustainable financing strategies for media businesses, economic productivity, ecological implications, and security concerns. The harmonisation of the different interests at stake takes time, while inaction feeds public distrust in democratic institutions and processes. This volume shows that the quality of digital media performance remains central to democratic life and to responsibilities that citizens and institutions have toward one another. The authors call for policy decisions to be taken on both the national and the supranational levels. Regulatory institutions must be granted the necessary legal tools and financial resources to protect accurate information and to fight disinformation, as only informed and critical-minded citizens can defend democracies. The risks are too real to be devalued. Awareness and action are needed." (Publisher description)
1 Introduction: Platformisation as a systemic challenge / Péter Bajomi-Lázár, Auksė Balčytienė, & Helena Sousa, 9
SECTION I: FOUNDATIONS AND CONTEXT
2 From technologies of liberation to democracy-harming platforms – and why we need better communication structures / Tales Tomaz & Josef Trappel, 25
3 The rise and fall of journalism / Péter Bajomi-Lázár & Dalma Boldog, 45
4 European approaches to disinformation and public discourse: The policy framework to regulate the digital platform environment / Judit Bayer, 63
5 Eternally vigilant: Protecting freedom of expression and media freedom in the age of digital platforms / Tarlach McGonagle, 85
SECTION II: NAVIGATING DIVERSITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND GOVERNANCE
6 Media diversity and the epistemic expectations of journalism: Public service media’s responses to alternative media and the challenge of democratic integrity / Jolan Urkens, Leen d’Haenens & Jaron Harambam, 109
7 Public service media and entertainment: The challenge of engaging younger audiences / Alessandro D’Arma, Andrea Esser, Matthew Hilborn & Jeanette Steemers, 127
8 The role of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as sources of information about Europe / Barbara Thomass, Andrea Miconi & José Moreno, 149
9 Engaging in civic dialogue or opinion battles? The epistemic risks informed approach to platform governance / Auksė Balčytienė, 171
SECTION III: PLATFORM POWER AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
10 Governing AI innovation under EU-style capitalism / Robin Mansell, 195
11 Ecosystemic AI: Local media systems and the challenge of artificial intelligence / Helle Sjøvaag & Maximilian Eder, 219
12 Competitiveness and artificial intelligence in the EU’s future strategy / Hannu Nieminen & Maria Michalis, 239
13 Anatomy of platform power capitalism: Faces, forms, and regulation / Werner A. Meier & Josef Trappel, 259
SECTION I: FOUNDATIONS AND CONTEXT
2 From technologies of liberation to democracy-harming platforms – and why we need better communication structures / Tales Tomaz & Josef Trappel, 25
3 The rise and fall of journalism / Péter Bajomi-Lázár & Dalma Boldog, 45
4 European approaches to disinformation and public discourse: The policy framework to regulate the digital platform environment / Judit Bayer, 63
5 Eternally vigilant: Protecting freedom of expression and media freedom in the age of digital platforms / Tarlach McGonagle, 85
SECTION II: NAVIGATING DIVERSITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND GOVERNANCE
6 Media diversity and the epistemic expectations of journalism: Public service media’s responses to alternative media and the challenge of democratic integrity / Jolan Urkens, Leen d’Haenens & Jaron Harambam, 109
7 Public service media and entertainment: The challenge of engaging younger audiences / Alessandro D’Arma, Andrea Esser, Matthew Hilborn & Jeanette Steemers, 127
8 The role of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as sources of information about Europe / Barbara Thomass, Andrea Miconi & José Moreno, 149
9 Engaging in civic dialogue or opinion battles? The epistemic risks informed approach to platform governance / Auksė Balčytienė, 171
SECTION III: PLATFORM POWER AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
10 Governing AI innovation under EU-style capitalism / Robin Mansell, 195
11 Ecosystemic AI: Local media systems and the challenge of artificial intelligence / Helle Sjøvaag & Maximilian Eder, 219
12 Competitiveness and artificial intelligence in the EU’s future strategy / Hannu Nieminen & Maria Michalis, 239
13 Anatomy of platform power capitalism: Faces, forms, and regulation / Werner A. Meier & Josef Trappel, 259
