Platform://Democracy
The project "Platform://Democracy: Platform Councils as Tools to Democratize Hybrid Online Orders" examines how the rules of discourse on platforms can be aligned with public values. It focuses on the following question: Can "platform councils" or other institutions ensure that public interests and democratic values are taken into account in the rule-making processes of platforms?
Background of the research project
Significant parts of our public discourse have shifted to digital platforms. Here, however, proven democratic principles cannot easily be translated to enable user participation in the design of private selection algorithms and moderation practices. The platforms themselves have become rule-makers, rule enforcers and judges of their decisions. Separation and separation of powers looks different. So what about our participation in communication-related decisions on digital platforms today?
Global best practice models
The project aims to analyse and synthesise the institutional frameworks of successful societal responses to hybrid governance regimes. This will be done through a global review of best practice models of integrating public interests back into private (and public) regimes, such as those that exist or existed in different countries in varying degrees, for example in the field of public broadcasting or the protection of minors.
A total of four regional research clinics and resulting studies will be conducted in the regions of Asia/Australia, the Americas, Africa and Europe. They will be used for interdisciplinary research and normative evaluation of the possibility spaces of institutionalised social feedback mechanisms of private exercise of power.
Sounding Board
Research Clinic Europe
In the clinic, participants will develop proposals on how to democratise online communication spaces and make their rules and practices more socially sustainable.
More information about the clinic, the participants and regional coordinators
Opening
Touchdown
24.11.2022, 9am-12pm CET
Final Results
06.12.2022., 1:30-2:30pm CET
Opening
Touchdown
03.02.2023, 7-10am CET
Final Results
17.02.2023, 7-10am CET
Opening
Touchdown
03.02.2023, 1-4pm CET
Final Results
21.02.2023, 1-4pm CET
Opening
Touchdown
17.02.2023, 6-9pm CET
Final Results
03.03.2023, 6-9pm CET
Press release on the project launch
Project launch event
Christina DinarAssociated Researcher: Research and event cooperations at Leibniz-Institut für Medienforschung | HBI
Josefa FranckeAssociated Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet
Matthias C. Kettemann, Prof. Dr. LL.M. (Harvard)Head of Research Group and Associate Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet
Vincent HofmannResearcher: AI & Society Lab
Books
Mast, T., Kettemann, M. C., Dreyer, S., & Schulz, W. (Eds.) (2023). Digital Services Act / Digital Markets Act (DSA / DMA). Munich, Germany: C.H.Beck. Publication details
Golia, A., Kettemann, M. C., & Kunz, R. (2022). Digital Transformations in Public International Law (Beiträge zum ausländischen öffentlichen Recht und Völkerrecht). Baden-Baden, Germany: Nomos. DOI: 10.5771/9783748931638 Publication details
Journal articles and conference proceedings
Kettemann, M. C., Hofmann, V., Barthelmes, M., Koerrenz, N., Hinrichs, L. M., & Schleif, L. (2022). The Legal Framework of Online Parliamentary Election Campaigning – An Overview of the Legal Obligations of Parties and Platforms in Germany and the EU. How Platforms Respond to Human Rights Conflicts Online. Best Practices in Weighing Rights and Obligations in Hybrid Online Orders, 148-160. Publication details
Kettemann, M. C., & Fertmann, M. (2022). Platform-proofing Democracy – Social Media Councils as Tools to Increase the Public Accountability of Online Platforms. How Platforms Respond to Human Rights Conflicts Online. Best Practices in Weighing Rights and Obligations in Hybrid Online Orders, 97-113. Publication details
Kettemann, M. C., & Sekwenz, M. (2022). Pandemics and Platforms: Private Governance of (Dis)Information in Crisis Situations. How Platforms Respond to Human Rights Conflicts Online. Best Practices in Weighing Rights and Obligations in Hybrid Online Orders, 97-113. Publication details
Hofmann, V., Dinar, C., Kettemann, M. C., Hinrichs, L., Böke, J., & Gradulewski, M. (2022). The Power of App Stores and Their Normative Orders. How Platforms Respond to Human Rights Conflicts Online. Best Practices in Weighing Rights and Obligations in Hybrid Online Orders, 15-23. Publication details
Edited works
Kettemann, M. C. (ed.) (2022). How Platforms Respond to Human Rights Conflicts Online. Best Practices in Weighing Rights and Obligations in Hybrid Online Orders. Hamburg, Germany: Verlag Hans-Bredow-Institut. Publication details
Book contributions and chapters
Kettemann, M. C., & Rachinger, F. (2022). Internet, Right to. (pp. 322-328) Online: Elgar Encyclopedia of Human Rights. DOI: 10.4337/9781789903621.internet.right.to Publication details
Other publications
Kettemann, M.C. (2022). Designing Digital Democracy. Digital society blog. Publication details
Kettemann, M.C. (2022). Digitale Demokratie by Design: Was Habermas stört und Elon Musk freut. Te.Ma. Publication details
Francke, J. (2022). Plattformräte: Können sie digitale Plattformen zur Verantwortung drängen? Digital society blog. Publication details
Kettemann, M.C., Francke, J., Fertmann, M. (2022). Parlamente für Plattformen: Faire Regulierung für Online-Kommunikationsräume. turi2. Publication details
