Tech Giants vs. Democracy: Dutch Researchers Call for Government Support of Traditional Media
The Netherlands is facing a crisis in its media landscape, with traditional outlets like television and newspapersstruggling to compete with the dominance of large tech companies. This, according to researchers at the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR), poses a serious threat to thevery foundation of democracy.
The WRR’s report, released this week, paints a stark picture of a steady displacement of journalistic work.As social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) become the primary source of information for many citizens, traditional media outlets are losing their audience and advertising revenue. This, the report argues, is creating a democratic quality of information provisioncrisis, as doubtful quality information proliferates, often lacking independence, reliability, and context.
The report lays the blame squarely at the feet of tech giants, who have developed a superior advertising model and pulled most of the advertisingincome towards themselves, leaving traditional media struggling to survive. The researchers argue that the platformization of the public space has shifted the social debate from traditional forums like opinion pages and television studios to social media, where tech companies hold the reins.
The WRR calls for government intervention to address this imbalance. They proposemeasures such as ensuring that reliable information appears higher in search engine results and social media timelines. They also advocate for stricter enforcement of existing European laws designed to prevent media ownership concentration.
The report also highlights the responsibility of politicians and government officials. The WRR criticizes the widespread use of platforms like X, whichare often criticized for promoting misinformation and hate speech, by ministries and politicians.
Local media outlets are particularly vulnerable, with some regions seeing a decline in local news coverage. The WRR calls for increased government support for local media, including financial assistance.
The report’s findings are a stark reminder of thecrucial role that a free and independent media plays in a healthy democracy. The WRR’s call for government intervention is a controversial one, but it reflects the growing concern that the dominance of tech giants is eroding the foundations of democratic societies.
Minister of Education, Culture, and Science Eppo Bruins haspromised to respond to the WRR’s findings at a later stage. The debate over the role of government in supporting traditional media is likely to continue, with significant implications for the future of journalism and democracy in the Netherlands and beyond.
References:
- Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR). (2024). Report on the state of media in the Netherlands. [Report
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