Abstract
This study aims at offering an overarching theoretical frame for analyzing different forms of direct and indirect influence of Big Tech on news media. It does so by expanding the concept of media capture to media environment capture. The latter provides an analytical tool that helps categorize various patterns of Big Tech’s influence on news media (as institutions) leading to the capture of information environments that journalism (as a practice) needs to work (well). The concept makes clear that tech giants do not simply capture “the news” or news media by means of acquiring media outlets and/or by producing and distributing the news. Instead, media environment capture stresses that Big Tech influences entire information environments, consequently shaping our lifeworld while privatizing the public sphere.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 804-824 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | International Journal of Communication |
| Volume | 19 |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fields of science
- 504027 Special sociology
- 502 Economics
- 506013 Political theory
- 509 Other Social Sciences
- 502027 Political economy
- 502049 Economic history
- 505 Law