مجلة القانون، المجتمع والسلطة
Volume 15, Numéro 2, Pages 217-237
2026-09-20
Algorithmic Media Landscapes: Structural Transformations, Political Implications, And The Legal Vacuum In The Digital Public Sphere
Authors : Ouahabi Naziha .
Abstract
This research investigates the profound structural transformations occurring within the digital public sphere as a result of the transition from human editorial gatekeeping to automated algorithmic curation. By examining the technical architecture of digital platforms, the study analyzes how the logic of "engagement" has superseded the democratic ideal of rational-critical debate, leading to the emergence of fragmented informational environments. The analysis deconstructs the mechanics of filter bubbles and echo chambers, demonstrating their systemic role in fueling political polarization and undermining social cohesion. Furthermore, the paper addresses the critical "legal vacuum" created by the proprietary nature of algorithmic "black boxes," which allows global technology firms to exercise quasi-sovereign power over public discourse while remaining largely exempt from traditional legal accountability. Through a multi-disciplinary lens, the study evaluates the weaponization of disinformation and the psychological impact of political micro-targeting on individual autonomy. The results indicate that the current self-regulatory paradigm is insufficient to protect the epistemic integrity of democratic processes. Consequently, the research argues for an urgent shift toward "algorithmic governance" and "democracy by design," advocating for mandatory independent auditing, multi-stakeholder participation, and the decoupling of platform profit motives from the amplification of extremism. Ultimately, this study emphasizes that safeguarding the democratic public sphere in the 21st century requires a comprehensive legal and communicative redesign of the digital landscape to ensure it serves the public interest rather than the objectives of surveillance capitalism.
Keywords
Algorithmic Governance; Digital Public Sphere; Polarization; Platform Liability; Surveillance Capitalism.
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