Social media democracy: How algorithms shape public discourse and marginalise voices

Abstract

In contemporary democracies, the right to free speech is a foundational safeguard of political legitimacy and public participation. Yet, in the digital age, this right is increasingly mediated by opaque and profit-driven algorithmic systems that determine what speech is visible, what circulates and what is suppressed. As social media platforms become the primary forums for discourse, algorithmic content curation – designed to maximise engagement rather than uphold democratic values – quietly reshapes who gets heard and on what terms. This transformation is not merely a matter of changing communication technologies; it marks a profound shift in the structure of the political and public sphere and the conditions under which speech can function as a democratic tool.
Contribution: This article argues that algorithmic content curation on social media platforms undermines the legitimacy of democratic discourse, particularly for marginalised speech that serves to challenge dominant norms. It engages in an analysis of the democratic principles that give rise to speech protection and define its particular function for marginalised groups. It contrasts these principles with the algorithmic practices of social media companies and considers the extent to which these principles may survive online, with a focus on how this diminishes marginalised groups’ participation in democratic processes and impacts their success in securing legal protection for their moral interests. This article contributes to the literature concerned with the compatibility of artificial intelligence and contemporary speech rights, as well as the literature concerned with the impact of artificial intelligence on principles of democracy.