City Research Online

Making 'The Daily Me': Technology, economics and habit in the mainstream assimilation of personalized news

Thurman, N. (2011). Making 'The Daily Me': Technology, economics and habit in the mainstream assimilation of personalized news. Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism, 12(4), pp. 395-415. doi: 10.1177/1464884910388228

Abstract

The mechanisms of personalization deployed by news websites are resulting in an increasing number of editorial decisions being taken by computer algorithms — many of which are under the control of external companies — and by end users. Despite its prevalence, personalization has yet to be addressed fully by the journalism studies literature. This study defines personalization as a distinct form of interactivity and classifies its explicit and implicit forms. Using this taxonomy, it surveys the use of personalization at 11 national news websites in the UK and USA. Research interviews bring a qualitative dimension to the analysis, acknowledging the influence that institutional contexts and journalists’ attitudes have on the adoption of technology. The study shows how: personalization informs debates on news consumption, content diversity, and the economic context for journalism; and how it challenges the continuing relevance of established theories of journalistic gate-keeping.

Publication Type: Article
Publisher Keywords: customization, gate-keeping, individuation, online journalism, online news, personalization
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications
Departments: School of Communication & Creativity > Journalism
SWORD Depositor:
[thumbnail of neil-thurman-making_the_daily_me.pdf]
Preview
PDF
Download (193kB) | Preview

Export

Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics

Actions (login required)

Admin Login Admin Login