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Open Portals or Closed Gates? Channeling Content on the World Wide Web

Author

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  • Eszter Hargittai

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

This paper explores what the tension between information abundance and attention scarcity implies for the diversity of information accessible to users of the World Wide Web. Due to limited user attention, there is a role for gatekeepers in the online content market. Sites that catalog Web content and primarily present themselves as content categorization services are identified as the gatekeepers in the new information age. Exploring the mechanisms by which they organize content is essential to understanding how user attention is allocated to information available on the Web. Theories about media content diversity are delineated to suggest what we may expect with respect to content diversity online. Methods for future empirical investigation are suggested. Finally, the policy implications of the argument are presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Eszter Hargittai, 2000. "Open Portals or Closed Gates? Channeling Content on the World Wide Web," Working Papers 52, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:cpanda:10
    as

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    File URL: https://culturalpolicy.princeton.edu/sites/culturalpolicy/files/wp10_hargittai.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hargittai, Eszter, 1999. "Weaving the Western Web: explaining differences in Internet connectivity among OECD countries," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 23(10-11), pages 701-718, November.
    2. Lucas Introna & Helen Nissenbaum, 1999. "Sustaining the Public Good Vision of the Internet: The Politics of Search Engines," Working Papers 53, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies..
    3. repec:pri:cpanda:wp09%20-%20introna%2bnissenbaum is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Peter O. Steiner, 1952. "Program Patterns and Preferences, and the Workability of Competition in Radio Broadcasting," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 66(2), pages 194-223.
    5. Lucas Introna & Helen Nissenbaum, 1999. "Sustaining the Public Good Vision of the Internet: The Politics of Search Engines," Working Papers 53, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies..
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Paul DiMaggio & Eszter Hargittai & Coral Celeste & Steven Shafer, 2003. "From Unequal Access to Differentiated Use: A Literature Review and Agenda for Research on Digital Inequality," Working Papers 29, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies..
    2. Paul DiMaggio & Eszter Hargittai, 2001. "From the 'Digital Divide' to 'Digital Inequality': Studying Internet Use as Penetration Increases," Working Papers 47, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies..
    3. Avi Goldfarb, 2006. "State Dependence at Internet Portals," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(2), pages 317-352, June.
    4. repec:pri:cpanda:wp15%20-%20dimaggio%2bhargittai is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Z11 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economics of the Arts and Literature
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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