Algorithms in digital media and their influence on opinion formation

Summary
Search engines, social media and video platforms collect, process and disseminate large volumes of information from different sources. They are also referred to as information intermediaries.
The operators of these online platforms develop and use algorithms to decide which messages are displayed to which people and in which order. In contrast to journalistic procedures in newsrooms,
these selection decisions are predominantly profit-oriented and not based on journalistic criteria, but on operator interests.
The significance of algorithms in digital media for forming individual and public opinions has become the focus of political and social interests, mainly due to undesirable developments such as the spread of fake news or the use of personalised advertising for political campaigns. So far, a few studies are available regarding the influence of digital media on opinion formation in Germany. Measures to regulate algorithms are being discussed or are already in the process of legislative implementation.