Publication: Enhancing Algorithmic Literacy : Experimental Study on Communication Students’ Awareness
of Algorithm-Driven News
Authors
Noguera-Vivo, José Manuel ; Grandío-Pérez, María del Mar
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Publisher
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/analisi.3718
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info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
© © The authors 2025
This document is the published version of a published work that appeared in final form in Analisi
This document is made available under the CC-BY 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
To access the final edited and published work see:
https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/analisi.3718
Abstract
This article addresses the need for algorithmic literacy in the field of journalism and
media education. Amid the escalating complexity of disinformation in the media landscape,
the aim is to enhance users’ awareness and understanding of algorithm-driven content.
Through focused research on communication students, the study investigates attitudes,
beliefs and knowledge relating to the influence of algorithmic systems on news
consumption. Existing scholarship is surveyed to establish the evolving nature of algorithmic
literacy, ranging from optimizing search engines to countering misconceptions
among digital natives. The relevance of digital information dissemination theories such as
incidental consumption, news-finds-me perception, echo chambers and filter bubbles is
highlighted in understanding algorithm-driven news selection. Methodologically, two
focus groups of communication students from universities in Spain and the United States engage in discussions on critical consumption attitudes, algorithmic beliefs and knowl-edge. The outcomes reveal the students’ skepticism towards algorithmic news selection and their awareness of emotional triggers shaping news dissemination. Notably, they dif-ferentiate between valuable news and trends influenced by algorithms. Conclusions underscore the significance of the “WITH” (Why-Is-This-Here) perception as an indica-tor of critical consumption and the need for algorithmic literacy. The insights of commu-nication students contribute to algorithmic systems, and their familiarity varies, yet they recognize the impact on news consumption. This study advocates for algorithmic literacy to empower citizens for responsible news consumption and journalism.
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Citation
Anàlisi Vol. 71 (2024): Miscellaneous
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