Comparing the platformization of news media systems: A cross-country analysis

Abstract

Platformization has been used to describe how platforms such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, WhatsApp and TikTok have become increasingly important for how people communicate and access information, including news. But to what extent have news media systems in different countries become platformized? Using online survey data from 46 countries, we show that: (a) although over 90% of internet users use at least one social platform, there are large country differences in the proportion that use them to access news; and (b) large country difference in the proportion that still go directly to news websites and apps. Furthermore, we find (c) that country differences at least partly reflect path dependency, more specifically the historic strength of the newspaper market leading to lower levels of news platformization and continued high levels of direct access. These findings show how platformization varies in different parts of the world, provide a framework for capturing how it changes over time, and highlight the potential benefits of bringing together platform studies and comparative media systems research.

Datification of the wisdom of the crowd: a comparative analysis of innovation strategies in four European crowdfunding platforms

“…Our study goes beyond this assumption by demonstrating a growing infrastructural interdependence. Through analysis of how different CSPs use and integrate various dominant global digital platforms, we aim to understand the level of platformization (Rangaswamy et al, 2020;Nielsen & Fletcher, 2023) within CF ecosystems. The research reveals how CSPs' evolution is influenced by platformization processes, encompassing both positive and negative consequences.…”

“…For each CSP we identify the distinctive strategic elements related to the three analytical dimensions that allow the co-creation, retention, and appropriation of value as ecosystem coordinators (Van Dijck, 2020;Nielsen & Fletcher, 2023;Rangaswamy et al, 2020).…”

“…Platformization is a dynamic process, occurring in different degrees, which can be driven and defined by the extension and intensity of digital platforms usage ((Van Dijck et al, 2018;Nielsen & Fletcher, 2023). Platform studies is the inter-disciplinary field of research supporting analysis about the role and impact of such platforms and the companies that run them, with implications on how people communicate, use media, access news, information and cultural contents (Duffy et al, 2020;Burgess, 2021;Nielsen & Fletche, 2023).…”

The Struggle for News Value in the Digital Era

“…The power relations inherent in this so-called platformization-whereby news organizations young and old are forced to tailor content strategies to fit in with "the selection principles of infrastructural platforms" ( van Dijck et al 2018, p. 66)-is demonstrated whenever the news industry scurries to respond to the tweak of a platform's algorithm for fear of its output being rendered less visible to potential audiences online. However, platformization has been found to have affected news industries to different extents in different countries and sectors, and should be expected to continue evolving (Nielsen and Fletcher 2023).…”