Objectivity in Algorithmic Media
In the world of media, different countries may argue over some regulations, but all of them surely agree on three important things: Truth, accuracy and objectivity. These are called ethical principles in media. Objectivity in journalism is accomplished through giving facts away from sentimentalism and maintaining a strategic distance from data that is one-sided and counterfeit. The measure of this objectivity is impartiality, which is splitting reporting from expressing opinion, liberation, reporting without bias or dread, checking the honesty of the data, not taking sides in a specific story or occasion, and reasonableness through showing all sides of the story. (Ward, 2009). Some may see “objectivity” in another perspective. According to Ward, they see it as a way of revealing the truth in a harsh, rude way. Second, being a skepticism about the ethics of profit-seeking news organization. Third, subjective journalism is better for a collaborating media world populated nationals columnists and bloggers. (2009).
“Transparency is the new objectivity”. (Weinberger, 2009, para.1). According to Weinberger, objectivity is known as the mirror of the print journalism. (2009). People before used to patiently wait every morning to hold their newspaper, to read and absorb the daily information that they thought is provides only the “truth”. Newspapers were the mediator between people and the government. It let them get connected with the local/international news. Nowadays, a new door was open to all societies. Social media has become the new mediator between people and the government. In fact, social media now is almost the only source that people are getting their information from. They can have access to it at any time. However, every user now can be a blogger or a journalist. The thing is, not all the information that are being shared on social media are true. In fact, the majority of them are fake news. Sharing thoughts, opinions and believes can lead to fake news, which can sometimes bring trouble for the non- credible distributor. On the other hand, this open door has fortified fair-mindedness in media utilization as it is accessible for everybody and it doesn’t support the authority only to give their opinions as before. Individuals can see the distinctive purpose of perspectives together. Obviously, just like journalistic media has an editorial team to confirm that no ethical principle is being crossed, these platforms have also editorial choices to be completed; yet, it is done by computer algorithms.
“Algorithms need not be software: in the broadest sense, they are encoded procedures for transforming input data into a desired output, based on specified calculations.” (Gillespie, 2014).
This algorithm system is based on downloads, last visits, shares and likes. It’s almost like someone is stalking our accounts. According to Gillespie, algorithmic choices “are distant from the intervention of human hands, and as submerged inside of the cold workings of the machine.” (2014). Still, the most searched or reached does not necessarily mean that it is credible. This is what Facebook, Google and Twitter has fallen into. For example, Facebook produces its categories automatically based both on what users unequivocally share with Facebook and what they certainly pass on through their online movement. (Angwin; Varner and Tobin, 2017). After several searches for makeup pages, we find several makeup tutorials videos and ads regarding online stores or accounts on our home page. Is it a coincidence? I don’t think so! Also, we get these ads on many other media platforms, such as Instagram. Earlier today, my sister was asking me on Whatsapp application whether she goes to a restaurant named “Swiss Butter” or not. Few hours later, I found an ad between my Instagram stories about the place. Another example is, on Twitter, most of the accounts I follow are related to politics. Twitter now only suggests for me to follow other political accounts that I might be interested in.
Facebook and Google have an important responsibility concerning the things posted on their pages. In this matter, objectivity is not only providing the truth and facts, but it also reached out to the editorial decisions. In this way, it is them and their algorithmic frameworks who are purpose for the un-target circumstances occurring via web-based networking media. Henceforth, algorithm has debilitated standards of lack of bias and fair-mindedness in news revealing and it certainly undermines the job of media in keeping up a democratic sphere since what is exhibited to individuals everywhere throughout the world on the engines and platforms that they trust the most for news and actualities are being decided by machines that depend on perspectives and likes rather than truth. Eventually, there are some approaches to keep this weakening in these firms that could be applied. One of them is that they can change their algorithmic frameworks to construct them with respect to source credibility and objectivity instead of the shares and views. Another route is to issue laws and enactments that give the privilege for companies to edit some news sources to stay away from the issue of giving out phony, not trustworthy and doubtful news that undermine the standards of media morals, particularly objectivity and honesty. Implementing and applying these new arrangements would encourage these firms, Facebook and Google, to abstain from bringing about any mischief and losing the trust of their clients. Taking everything into account, the current algorithmic frameworks in media is hurting the moral standard of objectivity.
References:
1- Gillespie, T. (2014). The Relevance of Algorithms. Media Technologies, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press
2- Tobin, J.A. (2017). Facebook enabled advertisers to reach ‘Jew Haters’. Retrieved from: https://www.propublica.org/article/facebook-enabled-advertisers-to-reach-jew-haters
3- Ward. (2009). ‘Truth and Objectivity’ in Wilkins & Christians (eds.) Handbook of Mass Media Ethics, Routledge, London; New York
4- Weinberger, D. (2009). Transparency: the new objectivity. Retrieved from: http://www.kmworld.com/Articles/Column/David-Weinberger/Transparency-the-new-objectivity-55785.aspx
