University of Edinburgh
Public Service Media (PSM) plays a core role in upholding democratic values and rights. It strives to provide access to verified and balanced information and promotes values core to contemporary democratic political systems (democracy, diversity, fairness, and social cohesion). However, fierce competition within the attention economy, the rise of misinformation and the proliferation of dark design have become core influences in public opinion and strongly influence the nature of participation, by design. All these factors coalesce to create a climate within which PSM is both critically needed but also tightly limited. This research revolves around the question of how PSM can be leveraged to create new models of public participation, by design. In collaboration with the BBC and the Edinburgh College of Arts and School of Informatics this project will explore new models of civic media and participation to promote public good.
