There is conflicting evidence on the overall impact of digital platforms on news and journalistic content.
It appears some negative effects – such as shorter, more emotive content – can be attributed to platforms; others – like pressures of the 24/7 news cycle – are largely an aspect of digitisation.
Two aspects present specific future risks: sudden algorithmic changes which can severely disrupt conditions under which news is produced; and the potential devaluation of journalism through extractive summaries.
Digital platforms can now be regarded as key participants within the broader framework for news media; they may not be publishers, but their role as distributors is increasingly hybrid in nature.
As participants within this news media framework, digital platforms have a responsibility not to harm the public benefit provided by news and journalistic content; there may also be ways to promote it. Sry if this doesn’t help