Research Topic SummaryThis Research Topic explores the practical function and effectiveness of self-regulation and co-regulation as governance mechanisms across diverse sectors and societal contexts. The articles collectively examine how these alternative forms of governance, often operating alongside or in place of traditional state regulation, contribute to shaping behaviors, ensuring accountability, and addressing complex societal challenges.
Some of the articles focus on the theoretical foundations and historical evolution of self-regulation and co-regulation, establishing a conceptual framework for their analysis. Other contributions investigate empirically how self-regulatory institutions emerge and evolve in areas such as food safety, energy, cybersecurity, and professions like journalism. These analyses highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of self-regulation and co-regulation, demonstrating that while these approaches can provide flexibility, innovation, and stakeholder engagement, they may also face challenges related to effectiveness, transparency, and enforcement.
Many of the articles emphasize the interplay between public regulation and private initiatives, revealing that hybrid models of governance—where public authorities and private actors collaborate—often yield better outcomes. Through international case studies, the Research Topic identifies factors and conditions that facilitate successful co-regulation, including the need for robust monitoring, clear rules, and mechanisms for addressing non-compliance.
Overall, the articles published in this Research Topic illustrate that self-regulation and co-regulation are increasingly crucial in navigating governance gaps in fast-changing sectors. However, their success largely depends on the configuration of actors, the institutional context, and the design of accountability measures, underscoring the importance of continuous evaluation and adaptation in governance strategies.
Research Topic DescriptionThe governance of media infrastructures in the European Union has always been a particularly complex affair. A notable factor contributing to this complexity is a framework that features a dual-funding model, where public and private media exist side by side. Increasing concerns over the politicization of the media as well as the lack of transparency concerning their ownership have made things even more complex. The European Union’s Media Pluralism Monitor has highlighted the weaknesses of information pluralism in a context where researchers are compelled to study the role that artificial intelligence/automation is playing in both the creation of content and the development of spyware technologies for the surveillance of journalists.
In response to these concerns, the European Commission has proposed the adoption of a new set of rules, known as the Media Freedom Act, the chief purpose of which is to protect media pluralism and independence within the bloc. The Act raises a number of important questions, however. For example, it is not prima facie clear whether media independence can or should be regulated—some might even go so far as to argue that doing so would be a plain contradiction in terms—and just how much pluralism there should be within a committee whose job is to evaluate information pluralism.
The aim of this Research Topic is to investigate potential solutions to the challenges currently shaking the media landscape in the European Union: is the self-regulation of the media still a viable avenue, or is co-regulation a better option?
Subthemes to be addressed include, but are not limited to, the following:
• the coexistence of legal norms and media deontology—examples in different EU countries
• the structure of the journalistic profession—corporatism and conditions for the practice of journalism
• influencers’ and streamers’ advertising activities
• influencers, streamers, vloggers, and content creators for platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch—co-regulation or self-regulation?
• from the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA) to the European Board for Media Services
• the self-regulation of the internet for the challenges of 2030
• e-commerce and user trust—requirements and needs
• social networks and governance models
• stylebooks as proof of quality
• public value tests
• clause of conscience, professional secrecy, and the right to rectification
• user associations, stakeholders, and organizations in governance systems.
We encourage the submission of articles of the following
types: Original Research, Review, and Mini Review.
Please note that this Research Topic accepts manuscripts submitted via Frontiers in Communication only. 