SHAPING PUBLIC OPINION: THE ROLE OF ALGORITHMS IN CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL GATEKEEPING
Keywords:
Algorithms, public opinion, social media, Filter Bubbles, Echo Chambers, Digital Gatekeeping.Abstract
In the contemporary digital ecosystem, the dissemination of information is no longer governed solely by traditional editorial gatekeepers. Instead, algorithmic architectures of major social media platforms dictate the visibility of content, thereby playing a pivotal role in shaping opinion. This article examines the mechanisms through which recommendation algorithms influence social perception. the cognitive biases they exploit, and the subsequent socio-political implications, including polarization and the proliferation of echo chambers, through a qualitative synthesis of current literature, the study demonstrates that engagement-maximization models may distort the public sphere by prioritizing sensationalism over veracity.
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