Journalism as hostage to Facebook’s algorithm

Authors

  • Marcelo Kischinhevsky Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
  • Renata Fraga Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/fem.2020.222.11

Abstract

This article takes as a starting point the tension between Facebook and journalistic organizations around the on-line circulation of journalism to propose new regulatory arrangements, involving greater public freedom in content management, transparency of the algorithmic rules, personal data protection and valuing journalistic practices on the platform. The text presents a bibliographic review in the fields of media economy and political economy of communication and the results of interviews conducted by the second author with BBC News Brasil editors and documental analysis to discuss the implications of the change in the Facebook algorithm in 2018, which reduced the visibility of journalism produced by leading media groups. This movement raises issues concerning the diversity of voices and the quality of information offered in a media ecosystem of increasing connectivity.

Keywords: Journalism. Facebook. Algorithm. Media economy. Political economy of communication.

Author Biographies

Marcelo Kischinhevsky, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)

Professor do Núcleo de Rádio e TV da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) e do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (PPGCOM/UERJ), doutor e mestre em Comunicação e Cultura pela UFRJ e bacharel em Jornalismo pela mesma instituição.

Renata Fraga, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

Mestranda pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (PPGCOM/UERJ) e jornalista formada pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

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Published

2020-04-02

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 2 (2020): Maio/Agosto

Section

Articles

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