Digital platforms such as TikTok, Google and Facebook are playing an increasingly influential role in the production, distribution and reception of news. They have consequently become powerful information intermediaries that are driving the platformisation of the news ecosystem. This means that the logic of platforms permeates and influences individuals, organisations and structures. This raises the question of how this development can be characterised and what effects it has at the micro, meso and macro levels of the ecosystem. To date, such a holistic analysis of the phenomenon – one that takes into account the interdependencies between these levels – has been lacking.
This thesis therefore adopts an integrative approach. Five interrelated chapters provide theoretical frameworks and conduct qualitative explorations of relevant phenomena of platformisation at all three levels. Based on assumptions from institutional theory, 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 homogenisation of the entire news ecosystem. The thesis then theoretically examines the transformative role of (platform) power and systematically analyses what platformisation means for the autonomy of news media (meso level).
Subsequently, qualitative guided interviews will be used to examine the extent to which platformisation is reflected in the public’s understanding of news and its relevance to opinion-forming (micro level). This is followed by a theoretical framework that analyses the influence of platformisation on the quality and social cohesion of public spheres (macro level). Building on this, measures to safeguard diversity in the age of platforms are proposed.
Overall, it is observed that, with the platformisation of the news ecosystem, a power-driven, long-term vertical and horizontal penetration of the news ecosystem by platform logic is taking place. However, a complete diffusion of platform logic cannot be observed. Rather, a hybridisation of news media logic and platform logic is emerging at various levels. Based on these findings, the thesis concludes by discussing how media policy and public communication studies can contribute to ensuring a functional news ecosystem.
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