Challenged by News Personalisation: Five Perspectives on the Right to Receive Information

Journal of Media Law, 2017, DOI: 10.1080/17577632.2017.1387353

27 Pages Posted: 30 Oct 2017

See all articles by Sarah Eskens

Sarah Eskens

VU University Amsterdam

Natali Helberger

University of Amsterdam - Institute for Information Law (IViR)

Judith Moeller

University of Amsterdam

Date Written: October 26, 2017

Abstract

More and more news is personalised, based on our personal data and interests. As a result, the focus of media regulation moves from the news producer to the news recipient. This research asks what the fundamental right to receive information means for personalised news consumers and the obligation it imposes on states. However, the right to receive information is under-theorised. Therefore, we develop a framework to understand this right, starting from case law of the European Court of Human Rights. On this basis, we identify five perspectives on the right to receive information: political debate, truth finding, social cohesion, avoidance of censorship and self-development. We evaluate how news personalisation affects the right to receive information, considering these five different perspectives. Our research reveals important policy choices that must be made regarding personalised news considering news consumers’ rights.

Keywords: news personalisation, right to receive information, European Convention on Human Rights, filter bubbles, media diversity

Suggested Citation

Eskens, Sarah and Helberger, Natali and Moeller, Judith, Challenged by News Personalisation: Five Perspectives on the Right to Receive Information (October 26, 2017). Journal of Media Law, 2017, DOI: 10.1080/17577632.2017.1387353, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3060349

Sarah Eskens (Contact Author)

VU University Amsterdam ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
Amsterdam, ND North Holland 1081 HV
Netherlands

Natali Helberger

University of Amsterdam - Institute for Information Law (IViR) ( email )

Rokin 84
Amsterdam, 1012 KX
Netherlands

Judith Moeller

University of Amsterdam ( email )

Spui 21
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands

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