Power asymmetries in the algorithmic formation of public opinion

Amon Prodnik, Jernej (author)

In the following commentary, I reflect on the contemporary public sphere, considering how the algorithmic curation of information has transformed the formation of public opinion. I consider the ongoing transformations of the public sphere, some of the normative implications of these processes, and connect them to the concept of ‘algorithmic public opinion’, as introduced by Gandini, Keeling and Reviglio in this journal. Moving beyond neutral descriptions, I also draw attention to the deepening power asymmetries in these processes and highlight the growing influence of Big Tech, which will have to be incorporated into a genuinely critical framework.

• Language: English
• Keywords: public sphere, public opinion, algorithms, social media platforms, gatekeeping, digital capitalism
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.03 - Other scientific articles
• Organization: FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: Str. 72-76
• Numbering: Vol. 2, issue 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-182596
• UDC: 659.3/.4:004
• ISSN on article: Y508-6639
• DOI: 10.1177/29768640251385702
• COBISS.SI-ID: 278534403
• Publication date in RUL: 18.05.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Dialogues on digital society
• Publisher: Sage
• ISSN: 2976-8640
• COBISS.SI-ID: 238373379

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
• Description: A creative commons license that bans commercial use, but the users don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: javnost, javno mnenje, algoritmi

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: J5-3110
• Name: Rekonfiguracija novinarstva sredi vzpona ekonomije pozornosti in zatona javne sfere

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P5-0051
• Name: Množični mediji, javna sfera in družbene spremembe