Skip to content
Banner Plattform-Demokratie

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

The project is accompanied by a large sounding board with members from politics, science and civil society.

 

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

10.11.2022, 3-5pm CET

Touchdown

24.11.2022, 9am-12pm CET

Final Results

06.12.2022., 1:30-2:30pm CET

Research Clinic Asia

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

20.01.2023, 12:30-2:30pm IST

Touchdown

03.02.2023, 11:30am-2:30pm IST

Final Results

17.02.2023, 11:30am-2:30pm IST

Research Clinic Africa

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

20.01.2023, 3-5pm SAST

Touchdown

03.02.2023, 2-5pm SAST

Final Results

21.02.2023, 2-5pm SAST

Research Clinic Americas

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

03.02.2023, 12-2pm PST

Touchdown

17.02.2023, 11am-2pm PST

Final Results

03.03.2023, 11am-2pm PST

Press release on the project launch

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

Kettemann, M. C., Peukert, A., Spiecker gen. Döhmann, I. (Eds.) (2022). The Law of Global Digitality. London: Routledge. DOI: 10.4324/9781003283881 Publication details

Kettemann, M. C., & Lachmayer, K. (Eds.) (2022). Pandemocracy in Europe Power, Parliaments and People in Times of COVID-19. Oxford, New York: Bloomsbury Publishing. DOI: 10.5040/9781509946396 Publication details

Journal articles and conference proceedings

Kettemann, M. C., & Fertmann, M. (2022). Can Platforms Cancel Politicians? How States and Platforms Deal with Private Power over Public and Political Actors. An Exploratory Study of 15 Countries. East European Yearbook on Human Rights, 4(1), 181-261. DOI: 10.5553/EEYHR/258977642021004001007 Publication details

Mosene, K., & Kettemann, M. C. (2022). Noch einmal kurz die Welt retten: Machtkritische Perspektiven auf digitale Emanzipationsgewinne. Global Media Journal – German Edition, 11(2). DOI: 10.22032/dbt.51031 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. In C. Binder, M. Nowak, J. A. Hofbauer, & P. Janig (Eds.), Elgar Encyclopedia of Human Rights (pp. 322-328). Cheltenham, UK; Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar Publishing. DOI: 10.4337/9781789903621.internet.right.to Publication details

Kettemann, M. C., & Sekwenz, M. (2022). Pandemics and Platforms: Private Governance of (Dis)Information in Crisis Situations. In M. C. Kettemann, & K. Lachmayer (Eds.), Pandemocracy in Europe Power, Parliaments and People in Times of COVID-19 (pp. 263–282). Oxford, UK; New York, USA: Bloomsbury Publishing. DOI: 10.5040/9781509946396.ch-013 Publication details

Kettemann, M. C., Rachinger, F., & Sekwenz, M. (2022). Deplatforming. In Grabenwarter, Holoubek, & Leitl-Staudinger, REM 22: Regulierung von Kommunikationsplattformen (pp. 78-89). Wien, Austria: Manz. Publication details

Golia, A., Kettemann, M. C., & Kunz, R. (2022). Digital Transformations in Public International Law: An Introduction. In A. Golia, M. C. Kettemann, & R. Kunz, Digital Transformations in Public International Law (Beiträge zum ausländischen öffentlichen Recht und Völkerrecht). Baden-Baden, Germany: Nomos. DOI: 10.5771/9783748931638 Publication details

Kettemann, M. C., & Peukert, A. (2022). Introduction – The Law of Global Digitality. In Kettemann, M. C., Peukert, A., Spiecker gen. Döhmann, I. (Eds.), The Law of Global Digitality, 1 (pp. 1-13). London: Routledge. DOI: 10.4324/9781003283881-1 Publication details

Dreyer, S., Kettemann, M. C., Schulz, W., & Seipp, T. J. (2022). European Media Law in Times of Digitality. In Kettemann, M. C., Peukert, A., Spiecker gen. Döhmann, I. (Eds.), The Law of Global Digitality, 1 (pp. 182-202). London, UK: Routledge. DOI: 10.4324/9781003283881-13 Publication details

Kettemann, M. C., & Peukert, A. (2022). Conclusion: The Law of Global Digitality: Findings and Future Research. In Kettemann, M. C., Peukert, A., Spiecker gen. Döhmann, I. (Eds.), The Law of Global Digitality, 1 (pp. 251-255). London, UK: Routledge. DOI: 10.4324/9781003283881-17 Publication details

Kettemann, M. C., & Lachmayer, K. (2022). Conclusions: Pandemocracy – Governing for the People, without the People? In M. C. Kettemann, & K. Lachmayer (Eds.), Pandemocracy in Europe Power, Parliaments and People in Times of COVID-19 (pp. 329–346). Oxford, UK; New York, USA: Bloomsbury Publishing. DOI: 10.5040/9781509946396.ch-017 Publication details

Kettemann, M. C. (2021). Datenherrschaft und Kommunikationsgovernance als Demokratieschutz: Perspektiven auf die Plattform- und KI-Regulierung der Demokratien. In I. Spiecker gen. Döhmann, M. Westland, & R. Campos (Eds.), Demokratie und Öffentlichkeit im 21. Jahrhundert – zur Macht des Digitalen, Frankfurter Studien zum Datenschutz, Band 64 (pp. 367-372). Baden-Baden, Germany: Nomos. DOI: 10.5771/9783748932741 Publication details

Working paper

Kettemann, M. C. & Fertmann, M. (2021). Viral Information. How States and Platforms Deal with Covid-19-Related Disinformation An Exploratory Study of 20 Countries. East European Yearbook on Human Rights, 4(1). DOI: 10.5553/EEYHR/258977642021004001005 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

M. C. Kettemann, Rachinger, F., Vural, M. (2022). Menschenrechte im Digitalen. Wie wir Freiheit im digitalen Raum sichern: Handlungsoptionen für die Bundesregierung. FES diskurs. Publication details

Büchele, M., Kettemann, M. C., Rachinger, F., & Vural, M. (2022). Austria, Büchele, M., Kettemann, M., Rachinger , F., & Vural, M.; Angelopoulos, C. (2022). (rep.). Articles 15 & 17 of the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market - Comparative National Implementation Report. information labs. Retrieved from https://informationlabs.org/copyright/. Publication details

Kettemann, M. C. (2022). Germany: Disinformation in Pandemic Times. Blog of American Institute for Contemporary German Studies, John Hopkins University. Publication details

Susi, M., Benedek, W., Fischer-Lessiak, G., Kettemann, M. C., Schippers, B. V., & Viljanen, J. (Eds.) (2022). Governing Information Flows During War: A Comparative Study of Content Governance and Media Policy Responses After Russia’s Attack against Ukraine. Hamburg: Verlag Hans-Bredow-Institut (GDHRNet Working Paper), #4. Publication details

Kettemann, M. C. (2022). Nein, Elon Musk, so geht Plattformdemokratie nicht. Verfassungsblog. Publication details

Lectures and presentations

Parlamente für die Plattformen? Die Grenzen digitale Selbstbestimmung auf digitalen Diensten
ITeG Ring­vor­le­sung 2022/2023: Digitale Gesellschaft - Soziotechnische Gestaltung digitaler Selbstbestimmung (Session: Parlamente für die Plattformen? Die Grenzen digitale Selbstbestimmung auf digitalen Diensten). Wissenschaftliche Zentrum für Informationstechnikgestaltung (ITeG) der Universität Kassel, Kassel, Germany: 21.12.2022 Further information

Matthias C. Kettemann

Duration & Funding

Duration2022-2023
FundingStiftung Mercator

 

Cooperation Partner:

Contact

Matthias C. Kettemann, Prof. Dr. LL.M. (Harvard)

Head of Research Group and Associate Researcher: Global Constitutionalism and the Internet

PART OF THE RESEARCH GROUP