{"id":256948,"date":"2025-05-11T08:51:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-11T08:51:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/project.uniurb.it\/corit\/?p=256948"},"modified":"2025-05-11T08:51:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-11T08:51:50","slug":"fringe-democracy-and-the-platformization-of-the-public-sphere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/project.uniurb.it\/corit\/fringe-democracy-and-the-platformization-of-the-public-sphere\/","title":{"rendered":"Fringe Democracy and the Platformization of the Public Sphere"},"content":{"rendered":"

A special issue on \u2018Fringe democracy and platformisation of the public sphere\u2019 edited by Giovanni Boccia Artieri, Axel Bruns, Ehsan Dehghan and Laura Iannelli was published in the journal \u2018Comunicazione Politica\u2019 1\/2025.<\/p>\n

The introduction to the issue
\nBoccia Artieri, G., Bruns, S., Dehghan, E., Iannelli, L. (2025). Fringe Democracy and the Platformization of the Public Sphere. \u00abComunicazione politica\u00bb, 1, 3-21, doi: 10.3270\/11660
\nis in open access and can be downloaded here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This is the abstract:
\nThis article introduces the concept of \u00abfringe democracy\u00bb as a multidimensional phenomenon emerging in the contemporary public sphere when alternative digital platforms (spaces\/affordances\/governance patterns), marginalized actors (groups\/practices\/ideologies), and heterodox narratives (contents\/imaginaries\/representations) challenge liberal democratic processes. Fringe democracy is not merely about the rise of non-mainstream platforms but arises from complex interactions between fringe and mainstream platforms, actors, and narratives (as shown by recent changes in mainstream platform moderation practices, which reduce fringe actors\u2019 dependence on alternative, freer spaces). While some marginalized actors may propose heterodox narratives driven by democratic values, fringe democracy functions as a form of pseudo-democracy from the margins, exploiting democratic participation mechanisms to undermine core democratic principles. This phenomenon spans ideological spectra, although far-right actors have a particularly notable power to weaken liberal democracies through disruptive communication strategies. After defining fringe democracy, the article introduces empirical and theoretical studies highlighting how interactions between mainstream and fringe platforms shape polarized narratives and amplify manipulative practices. Ultimately, the article addresses methodological and epistemological challenges in researching fringe democracy and advocates a strategy (integrating policy interventions, platform regulations, and media literacy efforts) to effectively address issues posed by the evolving digital public sphere within hybrid media systems, balancing freedom of speech with the necessity of safeguarding democracy.<\/p>\n

This is the table of contents of the monographic issue:<\/p>\n

Saggi<\/h3>\n
\n
\n

OPEN ACCESS<\/p>\n

Giovanni Boccia Artieri<\/a>\u00a0Axel Bruns<\/a>\u00a0Ehsan Dehghan<\/a>\u00a0Laura Iannelli<\/a><\/div>\n
Fringe Democracy and the Platformization of the Public Sphere<\/a><\/div>\n
pp: 3-21<\/span>DOI: 10.3270\/116607<\/span><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Jakob B\u00e6k Kristensen<\/a><\/div>\n
Platform Polarization. Do Alternative Platforms Drive Discursive Polarization?<\/a><\/div>\n
pp: 23-47<\/span>DOI: 10.3270\/116608<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Toby Hopp<\/a>\u00a0Pat Ferrucci<\/a><\/div>\n
An Illustration of the Mutualistic Relationship between Countermedia Attendance and Right-Wing Extremity<\/a><\/div>\n
pp: 49-69<\/span>DOI: 10.3270\/116609<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Piergiorgio Degli Esposti<\/a>\u00a0Laura Tirabassi<\/a><\/div>\n
Cultural Consumption, Social Media, and Polarization. Cancel Culture as a Practice of Cultural Resistance and its Critical Issues<\/a><\/div>\n
pp: 71-91<\/span>DOI: 10.3270\/116610<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Massimo Terenzi<\/a><\/div>\n
Cryptocurrencies from Mainstream to Fringe Platforms. Media Manipulation and Deceptive Schemes on Facebook and Telegram<\/a><\/div>\n
pp: 93-120<\/span>DOI: 10.3270\/116611<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Iginio Gagliardone<\/a>\u00a0Nkululeko Sibiya<\/a><\/div>\n
Anti-Migrant Sentiments in the Global South. Fringe Platforms and the Paradoxes of Exclusionary Politics in Post-Colonial South Africa<\/a><\/div>\n
pp: 121-143<\/span>DOI: 10.3270\/116612<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A special issue on \u2018Fringe democracy and platformisation of the public sphere\u2019 edited by Giovanni Boccia Artieri, Axel Bruns, Ehsan Dehghan and Laura Iannelli was published in the journal \u2018Comunicazione Politica\u2019 1\/2025. The introduction to the issue Boccia Artieri, G., Bruns, S., Dehghan, E., Iannelli, L. (2025). Fringe Democracy and the Platformization of the Public […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":256951,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nFringe Democracy and the Platformization of the Public Sphere - Countering Online Radicalization and incivility in ITaly: from fringe to mainstream - CORIT<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"it_IT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fringe Democracy and the Platformization of the Public Sphere - Countering Online Radicalization and incivility in ITaly: from fringe to mainstream - CORIT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A special issue on \u2018Fringe democracy and platformisation of the public sphere\u2019 edited by Giovanni Boccia Artieri, Axel Bruns, Ehsan Dehghan and Laura Iannelli was published in the journal \u2018Comunicazione Politica\u2019 1\/2025. 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