Learning from the Past, Planning for the Future: Lessons from Media History for Digital Platforms

Abstract

In this paper, I draw out lessons from media history that are relevant to the digital age. The paper focuses on the significance of technology as a driver of social change, drawing attention to the competing accounts of Marshall McLuhan and Raymond Williams about technology and society, as well as theories of the internet and the network society. I will apply the insights from these debates to three current questions concerning digital platforms: the question of disinformation and ‘fake news’; the problem of trust in journalism; and the social responsibility of digital platforms.

Keywords: technology; digital media; fake news; trust; journalism; digital platforms; social responsibility

JEL Classification: N80; P16; O35