[Translate to englisch:] Intermediäre und Meinungsbildung

Digital Intermediaries

Online social networks, instant messaging services, search engines and video portals: these so-called digital intermediaries have become key elements of people's communication and information behaviour. As such, they are receiving increased attention for their efforts to ensure diversity.

In this context, the term intermediaries is applied to services that draw attention to content that is  self-produced or produced by others. This can be done by means of aggregation, selection and presentation. It also applies to content that may influence how opinions are formed in society and nationwide public communication.

In its final report, the Joint Commission of the Federation and the States on Media Convergence has identified various needs for action among different media intermediaries. These are essentially the same as what the Media Authorities deem to be of importance.

Accordingly, special attention needs to be paid to aspects regarding transparency, user autonomy and identification.