"With this Policy Manual, we provide guidance for building an information space free from oligopolistic control, resilient to manipulation, and supportive of independent, pluralistic media. This Policy Manual proposes both structural reforms and targeted mitigation measures – focusing on media vis
...
ibility, viability, and vigilance. If journalists cannot report safely, if their work is rendered invisible or economically unsustainable, neither the integrity of the public discourse nor media freedom can be protected. Cautious and principled State engagement is needed to ensure that information – as well as the information space – is not captured, neither by private businesses, including platforms and AI giants, nor by the governments of the day. This is a necessary precondition to ensure the media can fulfil its democratic role.
Recognizing the diversity of legal systems and societal contexts across the OSCE, this Policy Manual does not prescribe a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. Instead, it offers principled and adaptable guidance, grounded in international human rights standards and OSCE commitments, to support States in designing frameworks that safeguard media pluralism, independence, and public interest over distortion, deception, and division. It aspires to be both a tool and a call to action. It urges States to move from reactive ‘fixes’ towards a proactive, rights-based vision for the future of our information ecosystem – one that restores pluralism and accountability." (Foreword, page 7)
more
"Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube wield substantial influence over digital information flows using sophisticated algorithmic recommender systems (RS). As these systems curate personalized content, concerns have emerged about their propensity to amplify polar
...
izing or inappropriate content, spread misinformation, and infringe on users’ privacy. To address these concerns, the European Union (EU) has recently introduced a new regulatory framework through the Digital Services Act (DSA). These proposed policies are designed to bolster user agency by offering contestability mechanisms against personalized RS. As their effectiveness ultimately requires individual users to take specific actions, this empirical study investigates users’ intention to contest personalized RS. The results of a pre-registered survey across six countries – Brazil, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and the USA –involving 6,217 respondents yield key insights: (1) Approximately 20% of users would opt out of using personalized RS, (2) the intention for algorithmic contestation is associated with individual characteristics such as users’ attitudes towards and awareness of personalized RS as well as their privacy concerns, (3) German respondents are particularly inclined to contest personalized RS. We conclude that amending Art. 38 of the DSA may contribute to leveraging its effectiveness in fostering accessible user contestation and algorithmic transparency." (Abstract)
more
"Few would disagree that AI systems and applications need to be “responsible,” but what is “responsible” and how to answer that question? Answering that question requires a normative perspective on the role of journalistic AI and the values it shall serve. Such a perspective needs to be grou
...
nded in a broader normative framework and a thorough understanding of the dynamics and complexities of journalistic AI at the level of people, newsrooms and media markets. This special issue aims to develop such a normative perspective on the use of AI-driven tools in journalism and the role of digital journalism studies in advancing that perspective. The contributions in this special issue combine conceptual, organisational and empirical angles to study the challenges involved in actively using AI to promote editorial values, the powers at play, the role of economic and regulatory conditions, and ways of bridging academic ideals and the messy reality of the real world. This editorial brings the different contributions into conversation, situates them in the broader digital journalism studies scholarship and identifies seven key-take aways." (Abstract)
more
"Based on an analysis of the use of AI-driven tools in the light of Article 10 EHCR, this report highlights a number of points for attention and the need for further initiatives. In particular, we signal that:
- There is an important role for member States to ensure that access to innovative technol
...
ogies, training data, digital skills and education in the use of new data-driven means of producing and distributing news is also open to smaller, local players. This is important also in the light of the growing competition with new media players, such as internet intermediaries, and the need to protect and promote diverse media markets.
- While the use of AI-driven tools in the media is in principle covered by Article 10 ECHR, the protection afforded under Article 10 ECHR also comes with specific duties and responsibilities for the media. In particular, we signal the need to and make concrete proposals for the development of professional algorithmic ethics regarding the question of how to promote the use of AI-driven tools in a way that is compatible with human rights and fundamental freedoms.
- In addition to the development of professional algorithmic ethics, the positive obligations of member States include the need to identify clear conditions for the responsibility and (editorial) oversight regarding automated processes, be that AI-driven recommendations in the media, media intermediaries or robot journalism, but also for creating fair conditions for the media to flourish in data-driven media markets." (Executive summary, page 3)
more
"The Palgrave Handbook of Methods for Media Policy Research covers the craft that is and the methods used in media and communication policy research. It discusses the steps involved in conducting research, from deciding on a topic to writing a report and everything in between and, furthermore, deals
...
with a wide variety of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The handbook invites researchers to rediscover trusted methods such as document analysis, elite interviews and comparisons, as well as to familiarize themselves with newer methods like experiments, big data and network analysis. For each method, the handbook provides a practical step-by-step guide and case studies that help readers in using that method in their own research. The methods discussed are useful for all areas of media and communication policy research, for research concerning the governance of both mass media and online platforms, and for policy issues around the globe." (Publisher description)
more
"Personalized recommendations in search engines, social media and also in more traditional media increasingly raise concerns over potentially negative consequences for diversity and the quality of public discourse. The algorithmic filtering and adaption of online content to personal preferences and
...
interests is often associated with a decrease in the diversity of information to which users are exposed. Notwithstanding the question of whether these claims are correct or not, this article discusses whether and how recommendations can also be designed to stimulate more diverse exposure to information and to break potential ‘filter bubbles’ rather than create them. Combining insights from democratic theory, computer science and law, the article makes suggestions for design principles and explores the potential and possible limits of ‘diversity sensitive design’." (Abstract)
more
"Adopting a truly global, theoretical and multidisciplinary perspective, Media Pluralism and Diversity intends to advance our understanding of media pluralism across the globe. It compares metrics that have been developed in different parts of the world to assess levels of, or threats to, media plur
...
alism." (Publisher description)
more