Robert Gorwa Tackles the Politics of Platform Regulation
Dec 1, 2024
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Robert Gorwa, a researcher at the Berlin Social Science Center and author of "The Politics of Platform Regulation," explores the complexities of online content moderation. He dives into the varied regulatory approaches by governments, highlighting case studies like Germany's Network Enforcement Act and responses post-Christchurch tragedy. Gorwa sheds light on civil society's role, the influence of politics on regulatory strategies, and the future challenges in platform governance as fairness and fragmentation loom large.
The podcast discusses how varying political motivations and local contexts influence the adoption of diverse platform regulation strategies across different countries.
It highlights the complexity of civil society engagement in platform regulation, noting its limited impact on implementation amid governmental priorities and competing demands.
Deep dives
Overview of Platform Regulation
Governments worldwide are increasingly focused on regulating harmful online content managed by technology platforms. This trend is driven by a spectrum of political motivations and social pressures that dictate how and why various regulatory strategies are adopted. Case studies from countries like the United States, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia highlight the diversity of approaches taken by governments in their efforts to address platform governance. Such regulatory initiatives reflect both local political landscapes and the unique circumstances surrounding harmful content and platform governance.
Demand and Supply Model for Regulation
A conceptual framework called the demand and supply model illustrates the dynamics behind platform regulation. Political will serves as the demand for change, while the power to intervene represents the supply side, indicating the government's capability to implement new policies. This model reveals that successful regulatory action depends on a combination of sufficient political will and the institutional capacity to effect change within the regulatory framework. Examples demonstrate that in some contexts, strong demand for regulation exists but is constrained by institutional limitations, leading to regulatory gridlock.
Case Studies: Germany and New Zealand
The German Network Enforcement Act (NETS-DG) emerged as a significant example of national regulation of online hate speech, driven by political will amid electoral pressures. In contrast, New Zealand's response to the Christchurch shooting involved a more collaborative, co-regulatory approach facilitated by international cooperation. These case studies illustrate how different countries can adopt disparate strategies in response to similar problems, influenced by their political contexts and the urgency of the governing issues. The contrasting outcomes in Germany and New Zealand underscore the importance of understanding local political dynamics and institutional frameworks in shaping regulatory responses.
The Role of Civil Society and Future Challenges
Civil society's engagement in platform regulation remains a complex and often under-explored aspect of this field. While civil society can influence the agenda-setting stage, their impact on implementation appears limited, particularly when governmental priorities take precedence. This situation poses significant challenges as lawmakers navigate competing demands from various stakeholders, including civil society organizations with distinct interests. Moving forward, the intersection of content governance with broader concerns such as industrial policy and geopolitical dynamics will likely complicate the regulatory landscape, demanding more robust discussions and collaborative efforts to achieve fair and effective governance.
Robert Gorwa is the author of a new book titled The Politics of Platform Regulation: How Governments Shape Online Content Moderation, published by Oxford University Press. (The book is available open access- download a free copy here.) It is an analysis of how and why governments around the world engage in platform regulation. The lessons he draws from case studies of key regulatory developments in Europe, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia help explain the adoption of different regulatory strategies by these governments and the underlying politics that shape their approach.
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