A1 Journal article (refereed)
Personalisation in Journalism : Ethical insights and blindspots in Finnish legacy media (2022)

Rydenfelt, H., Haapanen, L., Haapoja, J., & Lehtiniemi, T. (2022). Personalisation in Journalism : Ethical insights and blindspots in Finnish legacy media. Journalism, OnlineFirst. https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849221138424

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Rydenfelt, Henrik; Haapanen, Lauri; Haapoja, Jesse; Lehtiniemi, Tuukka

Journal or series: Journalism

ISSN: 1464-8849

eISSN: 1741-3001

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 08/11/2022

Volume: OnlineFirst

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849221138424

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83926

Abstract

The algorithmic personalisation and recommendation of media content has resulted in considerable discussion on related ethical, epistemic and societal concerns. While technologies of personalisation are widely employed by social media platforms, they are currently also being instituted in journalistic media. The objective of this study is to explore how concerns about algorithms are articulated and addressed when technologies of personalisation meet with long-standing journalistic values, norms and publicist missions. It first distinguishes five normative concerns related to personalisation: autonomy, opacity, privacy, selective exposure and discrimination. It then traces the ways that these issues are navigated in the context of journalistic media in Finland where the implications of algorithmic media technologies have received considerable attention. The results indicate that personalisation challenges traditional notions of journalism, including those of choosing what is important and relevant and providing the same content to everyone. However, aspects of personalisation also have a long history within journalistic practices, and new technologies of personalisation are being adapted to accord with journalistic norms and aims. Based on these results, ethical blindspots concerning privacy and discrimination are also identified.

Keywords: data; ethics; technology; journalism; online journalism; electronic communication; social inclusion; committing someone; social media

Free keywords: digital journalism; online journalism; technology; ethics; audience/engagement; data; social media; computational journalism

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 3