Gatekeepers Presentation B I L E T A

Who is the Keeper? A Who is the Keeper? A Framework for Identifying Framework for Identifying

Online Gatekeepers Online Gatekeepers

From Cupcakes to Yahoo!From Cupcakes to Yahoo!

1947: Term first used 1947: Term first used by Kurt Lewinby Kurt Lewin

1967: article by 1967: article by Reinier KraakmanReinier Kraakman

Roots in vicarious Roots in vicarious liabilityliability

Traditional GatekeepersTraditional Gatekeepers

Media GatekeepersMedia Gatekeepers

Financial GatekeepersFinancial Gatekeepers

Two Roles:Two Roles:Inhibitor: controls access Inhibitor: controls access to information by limiting to information by limiting access to or restricting access to or restricting the scope of information.the scope of information.

Facilitator: ‘innovator, Facilitator: ‘innovator, change agent, change agent, communication channel, communication channel, link, intermediary, helper, link, intermediary, helper, adapter, opinion leader, adapter, opinion leader, broker, facilitator.’ broker, facilitator.’ (Metroyer-Duran)(Metroyer-Duran)

Two Types of Internet Two Types of Internet GatekeepersGatekeepers

1. Online Gatekeepers1. Online Gatekeepers

Network Gatekeeper Theory (K. Barzilai-Network Gatekeeper Theory (K. Barzilai-Nahon):Nahon):DynamismDynamism of Internet taking into account. of Internet taking into account.Focus on Focus on information controlinformation control: : A gateA gate A gatekeeping processA gatekeeping process A gatekeeperA gatekeeper **The gated****The gated** A gatekeeping mechanismA gatekeeping mechanism

2. Internet Information Gatekeepers2. Internet Information Gatekeepers

Shift focus from Shift focus from gated misconductgated misconduct to to gated gated rightsrights..

““An Internet Information Gatekeeper is an An Internet Information Gatekeeper is an entity that controls deliberation and entity that controls deliberation and participation in the forms of meaning-participation in the forms of meaning-making in democratic society.”making in democratic society.”

Analytical StepsAnalytical Steps

1. Are they online 1. Are they online gatekeepers?gatekeepers?

Control information as Control information as it moves through a it moves through a gategate

2. Are they Internet 2. Are they Internet Information Information Gatekeepers (IIG)?Gatekeepers (IIG)?

Attracts human rights Attracts human rights responsibilitiesresponsibilities

Internet Information GatekeepersInternet Information Gatekeepers

Scale of ResponsibilityScale of Responsibility

1.1. Information of Information of democratic democratic significance; andsignificance; and

2.2. Space akin to a Space akin to a public sphere based public sphere based onon

1.1. Reach (numbers or Reach (numbers or infiltration) orinfiltration) or

2.2. Structure (expression Structure (expression of views or non-of views or non-exclusive)exclusive)

Internet Information GatekeepersInternet Information Gatekeepers

Micro-Gatekeepers

Authority Gatekeepers

Macro-Gatekeepers

Emily LaidlawEmily Laidlaw

PhD CandidatePhD CandidateLondon School of Economics and Political ScienceLondon School of Economics and Political Science

Contact: Contact: e.b.laidlaw@lse.ac.ukBlog: Blog: www.laidlaw.eu

Twitter: Twitter: http://twitter.com/EmilyLaidlawLinkedin: Linkedin: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/emilyblaidlaw