Spotify’s new “vibes” playlists are an attempt to organize music by mood and affect rather than by genre. However, critics have questioned the potential consequences of these playlists, arguing that they may manipulate users’ moods and tastes. In an attempt to better understand the difference between genres and vibes, researchers used a dataset of over 10,000 songs to study the unique artists and moods within each category. They found that while vibes playlists are more diverse and varied than genre playlists, they are also more repetitive and formulaic. This means that while vibes playlists may seem more open and fluid, they may actually be limiting users’ musical experiences. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here
Merv
February 1, 2023
