Snapping the news: Dynamic gatekeeping in a public service media newsroom reaching young people with news on Snapchat
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The relationship between news media and social media platforms is complex, involving dependencies and conflicts. Being present on these platforms offers benefits, such as increased visibility and engagement, particularly with younger audiences. However, platforms also function as gatekeepers through guidelines and algorithmic filtering, impacting the spreading of news media content. Snapchat, popular among young audiences, has been adopted by many traditional news outlets as a more playful distribution channel. Limited research exists on how newsrooms navigate Snapchat’s guidelines and the consequences of violating these, including practices like “flagging,” and the interplay between editorial decisions and algorithms. This study relies on an ethnographic fieldwork at the Norwegian Public Service Broadcaster’s (NRK) editorial group “NRK UNG” (NRK Youth) publishing news to young audiences on Snapchat. The study expands on gatekeeping theory, incorporating recent advancements, and illustrates how the journalists navigate Snapchat’s algorithmic gatekeeping. The study thus highlights the interplay between human news judgment and algorithmic news dissemination on Snapchat at various stages of the news production process.
Source: Journalism
Authors: Heidi Røsok-Dahl, Ragnhild Kristine Olsen
Institution: OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,700
OpenAlex ID: W4399134136