Miki Tanikawa, Associate Professor & Head, Global Communication Practices at Akita International University in Japan, will present a paper titled "The “Triadic Model” of free speech and the diminishing influences of the 4th estate."

This study investigates the role of “the 4th estate” in the digital era drawing on the recently highlighted concerns over news media’s ability to play its watchdog role – under the new technological environment in which the digital platform companies have come to play a domineering techno-financial role.

Working off of the well-elaborated point of the economic decline of the press, precipitated by platform dominance (techno-financial explanation), this study introduces the techno-legal perspective to the threat posed to the institutional press in much of the developed world. I bring in legal scholar Jack Balkin’s “free speech triangle” model to explain how the function and influences of the press have been emasculated from a regulatory standpoint such that its ability to maintain its constitutionally perceived role in democracy is difficult.

Here it may be useful to highlight and review the historical and abstract role of the press in relation to the governmental powers which shall illuminate the way in which the role of the press historically preserved has been eviscerated by the digital technology such that it can no longer play its role fully as the 4th estate.

The seminar will be held online. Please find below the Zoom link.