Welcome to our research lab, dedicated to exploring the intricate relationship between technology and the subject as it unfolds in different fields (journalists, activists, data activists) specifically through the lens of platform power.
Our work delves into the significant impact that technological artifacts have on the journalism industry, focusing on the process known as “platformization.” We scrutinize tools and initiatives such as the Google News Initiative (GNI) and the Facebook Journalism Project (FJP), which aim to assist journalists in connecting with audiences and enhancing their news products. Our research critically examines how these platforms may inadvertently foster economic and technological dependencies, potentially altering journalistic norms and the interpretation of audience data. We are particularly interested in the nuances of how platforms like Google and Facebook, each with their distinct ecosystems, exercise their influence over journalism through their structural network power. This power enables them to set standards and practices that shape the environment for journalists and media organizations, affecting how audience metrics are received and content is monetized.
By investigating these dynamics, our lab aims to shed light on the broader implications of platform technologies on journalism. We engage in this exploration against a backdrop of global and local socio-political contexts, understanding that these technologies do not operate in a vacuum but within complex, interconnected systems. Join us as we navigate these critical issues, seeking to contribute to a deeper understanding and dialogue around the power of platforms in shaping the future of journalism.
In our research work, we delve also into the dynamics of contemporary activism which takes place within technological environments. Our focus is on understanding how activists create and negotiate collective meanings and identities. By examining the discourse on platforms like Facebook, we seek to understand the role of platforms in facilitating or hindering the collective meaning-making processes that are crucial for activism. We explore the intricate processes through which activism is not just a response to crises but a critical force in reimagining and reshaping societal narratives and identities. Our lab is committed to contributing to a deeper understanding of how activism shapes and is shaped by, the digital and physical spaces in which it operates.
Our work in this field highlights the innovative ways in which activists work to redefine their connections to their communities, often seeking to reconstruct the identity of citizens concerning their political and social environments. This process involves a complex interplay of detachment from traditional roles and the formation of new, collective identities that transcend individual differences and unite people in their shared struggles for power and recognition.
Finally, our most recent work focuses on the evolving nexus of artificial intelligence (AI), journalism, and visual communication. Our recent work delves into the powerful role of imagery in framing news narratives, especially in the context of war reporting. As the field of journalism grapples with the ‘platformization’ phenomenon, our lab focuses on the critical analysis of visual materials through AI affordances. Our work is particularly concerned with the challenges posed by disinformation and the verification of visual content through AI-journalistic tools. Join us as we continue to investigate and innovate at the intersection of AI and journalism, seeking to enhance the truthfulness and credibility of reporting in an era where technology and human expertise must work hand in hand.