These algorithms are having a direct influence on news values, as many journalists and outlets in turn give more priority to spiky events because they can see the greater amount of traffic coming in. The algorithms can call the tune for their editorial decisions.
“The marketplace of ideas actually has a real marketplace effect to it, because journalism companies for the most part are economic engines: they have to make money,” said McBride. “The journalism companies are responding to these algorithms because these algorithms have an effect on the economics of the journalism companies.”
