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Diversity is one of the core principles of democratic participation in society. Thus, new technological innovations which affect the ways in which we receive information online are naturally giving rise to questions and concerns. Like other online services, European newsrooms are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools and data analytics to personalise news to match the interests and previous online behaviour of their readers.
This can be extremely helpful in managing information overload, for example, by providing a more tailored service for both users and advertisers. It does, however, also raise some concerns about the potential of algorithmic bias to exacerbate cultural and social prejudices and create filter bubbles or echo chambers.
The PERSONEWS project, funded by the European Research Council, is one of the first to examine, in depth, the impact of algorithmic news recommendations for both users and news media providers. It is shedding important light on how much we should really be concerned and what safeguards and innovations we can put in place to ensure the ongoing protection of freedom of expression and media diversity.
‘We are at a really transformative moment in time and there is a lot of interest in how AI algorithms could change the media we know. We want to look at how we can best use this new technology to enhance the democratic role of news media rather than undermine it,’ says principal investigator, Professor Natali Helberger of the Institute for Information Law at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Maintaining diversity
The PERSONEWS project is combining legal and empirical research to answer many of the questions raised by the use of news recommendation algorithms. Through extensive user surveys and working closely with European newsrooms, technical experts and regulators, the project has been able to develop new tools and guidance. This will help to inform the work of both policymakers, on the one hand, and journalists, editors and quality information providers on the other.
‘There are a lot of challenges for journalists and editors in figuring out how to deal responsibly with the power that algorithms give us. We have learnt that they face the same questions as we researchers and we have been working closely with them to think about what new “smarter” algorithms might look like that are able to generate more diverse recommendations whilst, at the same time, respecting user privacy,’ Helberger explains.
‘We now have the prototype of a tool that helps evaluate the diversity of recommendations, which is in a testing phase in Germany,’ she continues. ‘We have also developed a theory which provides a framework to better assess the opportunities and threats of new recommendation algorithms, which has been well received.’
PERSONEWS is also one of the first projects to look specifically into the legal aspects and fundamental rights questions raised by personalised news and to what extent there are gaps in the legal framework and how they should be dealt with.
Although surveys among user groups revealed a generally high level of acceptance by users, who can see the potential benefits, they also indicated that people want more agency and have concerns around privacy and diversity. The conclusion is that users must be offered clear choice and control in order to maintain trust.
Concerns about the creation of filter bubbles have been directly addressed and demonstrated that this very much depends on how smart the methods being used are.
‘The real issue lies more with the power imbalance between the traditional news media and social media platforms,’ Helberger believes. ‘On social media platforms, algorithms are used to engage people, drive advertising value and keep people on the site. There is a fundamental difference between social media and news media. News media have a democratic role to play and need to reflect on how to use technology to fulfil this mission.’
Overall, PERSONEWS is playing an important role in developing directions for future media law and policy in response to the impact of AI and algorithms on media markets. The research carried out so far has contributed significantly to the debate about the regulation of platforms and has put forward concrete suggestions for future policy. In particular, it highlights the need for public-sector support for innovation in the media sector to create a level playing field and to ensure that true diversity continues to be protected and nurtured.