Social media users’ concerns regarding algorithmic news personalisation

Abstract

The paper asks if social media users are concerned regarding algorithmic news personalisation and how their concerns connect with other factors. We took the influential concepts of echo chambers and filter bubbles as a starting point to explore three dimensions of concern about news personalisation: missing important information, missing opposite opinions and jeopardizing privacy because of personalised news. The survey among social media news users (N=1481) shows that concern exists, but more than a third of users do not have an evident attitude regarding news personalisation. Additionally, the concern is connected with knowledge about the algorithmic selection process, the importance of social networks in users? media repertoire and, to a small extent, negative attitude towards the selection principle. The findings contribute to our understanding of users? perspectives on news personalisation which is particulary relevant considering the increasing use of personalised news and the fact that it is individual citizens? responsibility to be accurately and comprehensively informed in a media environment where the news content is fragmented.