Netflix in Turkey: Localization and audience expectations from video on demand

Drawing on in-depth interviews with users of Netflix and the local streaming service BluTV as well as analysis of press releases, and original TV series produced by these platforms, this study explores the emergence and impact of Video on Demand (VOD) in Turkey. It examines how VOD is adopted, negotiated, reformulated, and received in a non-Western context where global and local VOD platforms compete, substitute and emulate each other. We ask the following research question: What are Turkish audiences’ social, psychological and technological needs and expectations from global and local VOD platforms? In order to respond to this question, we explore Turkish audiences’ insight into what VOD means to them and offers them as content, in comparison with platforms’ marketing discourse. The article argues that a) the local content that platforms offer is a central juncture through which audiences articulate their larger expectations from VODs, and b) Netflix’s localization attempts do not always correspond with the audience demand, it is heavily critiqued and at times rejected by the local audience. The findings of this research indicate that the expectations, needs, and gratifications of Netflix and VOD audiences depend on three factors: Their interpretation of VODs’ local content in relation to their cultural experience with broadcast TV, their technological needs such as instant access to global content and time/space shifting opportunities, and lastly the political context and policies such as the internet regulation and censorship. The significance of this is study is in showing, as distinct from the abundant literature on localization of Netflix, the complexity of local taste. Audiences’ evaluation of a VOD is shaped simultaneously by multiple factors including their experiences with network TV, other VODs, media regulations as well as informal networks/piracy.

How Russian Youth Consume Information: Case Study of the Political Science Students of the Financial University

This article is devoted to analyzing the results of a study conducted by the Educational and Scientific Laboratory of Internet Projects and Studies of the Department of Political Science and Mass Communications of the Financial University among university students. The work aimed to identify the characteristics and structure of youth information consumption in the digital space during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors analyzed the intensity and frequency of use of various types of information sources, identified the dominant sources of socio-political information, determining the level of trust in them, identified factors that affect the perception of message content. The article also analyzes the attitude of the respondents to the issue of Internet regulation by the state, defines and structures the subjective assessments of the opposition of the Internet space concerning existing government institutions. The paper concludes that the structure of the information consumption of the respondents shows a steady shift in the emphasis on information and communication activity of young people to digital platforms, sources, and channels. The youth audience spends a significant part of their active time in the digital space, which in its volume is comparable or even in many cases exceeds the amount of time spent in the traditional offline space. The consequence of this is the formation of digital information overload, stimulating the development and consolidation of the effect of clip consciousness. In general, based on the results of the work, the authors conclude that there is a stable structure of youth information consumption that has pronounced differences from the traditional structure of information consumption of older generations. Moreover, the processes of information consumption in the digital space are mostly irrational, and they are mainly based on digital habits that form the models of digital information consumption of modern students.

Reducing the Negative Impact of Pop-up Advertisements on Users and Improving Potential Purchase Intention

With the development of the internet, online pop-up advertisements (hereinafter, referred to as pop-up ads) have emerged. However, online users may disdain and reject online advertisements, which affects online purchase intention. This study is on reducing the negative impact of pop-up ads on users and improving the commercial effect. Self-administered questionnaires were used to survey online users and website designers. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS and the open answers were sorted out by thematic analysis. The results revealed that attractive storylines, background music, and exquisite visual presentations are effective in reducing users’ rejection to pop-up ads as well as advertisement customization. It is better for pop-up ads to appear in the middle or end of videos. The VIP system is also a choice for users to eliminate them. Designers are supposed to keep a balance between users and advertisers. In addition, internet regulation needs to be strengthened to reduce eroticism and violence in pop-up ads as well as avoid the negative impact of these kind of pop-up ads on minors.

NEKA PITANjA DIGITALIZACIJE MEDIJSKIH USLUGA

Life in the period of the fourth industrial revolution, complete and comprehensive digitization of almost every segment of human life, brings with it new challenges of recognition, understanding and coping in the digital environment. The crisis caused by the Covid-19 virus has further encouraged forms of virtual communication, and accelerated the development of digital services and their provision to unimaginable limits. The paper analyzes the way in which the digital environment influences the change in the way of providing media services, which are increasingly digital, and less classic and traditional. This means meeting and confronting a lot of information on the Internet and new social networks, which are becoming an alternative medium. younger population. Living in a digitized, hypertechnologically mediated world leads to the quantitative nature of information, without clearly determining its quality. A lot of information also leads to a lot of misinformation and false news. The appearance of the so-called algorithmic echo chambers, "clickbait" journalism, an increase in hate speech, as well as a decrease in trust in both the mainstream media and the journalistic profession in general. Therefore, in addition to strengthening the legal capacity of Internet regulation and the responsibility of digital service providers for the quality of audio-visual media content, it is important to pay attention to an important segment of preventive social action - development and strengthening of media literacy. Media literacy is one of the key competencies for living and working in a digitized and mediated environment, so it is necessary to clearly define its concept.

Digital Disinformation and the Need for Internet Co-regulation in Malaysia

The spread of fake news on Covid19 is causing public unrest and suspicion among citizens which is a challenge for countries facing the pandemic. The misinformation or disinformation which stems from uncertainties, unrest, and anxiety because of movement control order procedures, financial and economic hardship caused wrong information to spread like fire. Called as ‘info-demic’, it becomes a second source of virulent information that requires arresting just like the pandemic itself. Controlling fake news in the time of pandemic is a daunting problem that slaps Internet regulation at its face. On the Internet, lies spreads faster than truth and correcting misinformation means tonnes of work. This paper examines Internet self- and co-regulatory approaches in selected jurisdictions to reduce the impact of fake news on governments, industry, and private actors. In applying content analysis as a qualitative research method, the first section analysed specific legislations enacted by parliaments to criminalise the acts of disseminating and publishing fake news. The second section examines legislative and administrative efforts to impose civil and criminal liability on platform providers to monitor online content. The final section analysed self-regulatory efforts to introduce online fact-checking portals and awareness campaigns. This paper argues that Internet self-regulation scheme in Malaysia is not bringing the desired result in the scope of maintaining peace and security of the nation. Considering how dangerous disinformation can cause to the society, more so in global emergency like the present Covid19 pandemic, it is submitted that Internet co-regulation is more suitable if the social, moral and cultural fabric of the society is to be maintained.

Telenor Magyarország Zrt. v. Nemzeti Média- és Hírközlési Hatóság Elnöke (C.J.E.U.)

An important ruling, with international implications regarding the increasingly fraught and unsettled realm of state regulation in the digital sphere, came from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on September 15, 2020. In its ruling in the case of Telenor Magyarország Zrt. v Nemzeti Média- és Hírközlési Hatóság Elnöke, the CJEU stepped in to make a strong defense of legislation intended to secure so-called “net neutrality”—the principle of internet regulation meant to ensure that internet service providers cannot unduly restrict end-user access to certain internet applications or services based solely on commercial considerations. The ruling continues the CJEU's strict legal interpretations in furtherance of EU regulation and protection of consumer and individual rights in the digital sphere, with a clear eye toward cementing Europe's position in the vanguard of digital regulation and in the hope that such principles will be replicated and upheld elsewhere.

The Contribution of EU Law to the Regulation of Online Speech

Internet regulation in the European Union (EU) is receiving significant attention and criticism in the United States. The European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) judgment in the case Glawischnig-Piesczek v. Facebook Ireland, in which the ECJ found a take-down order against Facebook for defamatory content with global effect permissible under EU law, was closely scrutinized in the United States. These transsystemic debates are valuable but need to be conducted with a thorough understanding of the relevant legal framework and its internal logic. This note aims to provide the context to properly assess the role the ECJ and EU law play in the regulation of online speech. The note argues that the alleged shortcomings of the Glawischnig- Piesczek case are actually the result of a convincing interpretation of the applicable EU law while respecting the prerogatives of the member states in the areas of speech regulation, jurisdiction, and comity. Most of the issues that commentators wanted the ECJ to decide were beyond its reach in this case. The paper argues that EU law’s contribution in the field of online speech regulation should be regarded as a realization of the dangers of illegal online content, resulting in an effective protection of the interests harmed. This implies the rejection of a “whack-a-mole” approach towards illegal online content in favor of more effective ways to protect against the harm caused by illegal online speech. At the same time, the case highlights the necessity to establish a workable theory of jurisdiction and comity in the digital age.