In a world where key decisions are increasingly driven by algorithms, news organizations are taking a closer look at how these systems work and how they impact individuals and society. Reporters investigating how algorithms work try to look inside them. What are the sorts of algorithms that might be of journalistic interest? Think of cases where traditional fields adopt algorithms, or algorithms spur new industries; when algorithms make mistakes or demonstrate biases; when advancements in research unlock new algorithmic possibilities; or when algorithms are being regulated by governments. The way algorithms function may also sometimes conflict with existing social values or legal norms, as outlined by Nick Diakopoulos, professor at Northwestern University's School of Communication in his foundational paper "The Algorithms Beat." Privacy, for example, is a norm that algorithms can easily violate. Vox has reported on how personalization algorithms may make recipients feel that their identity or data has been compromised. Detected errors: Are there reported instances of mistakes the algorithm made - false positives or false negatives? Would disclosing how a specific algorithm works allow readers to manipulate or circumvent it in the future? Once people know which inputs and criteria a computer program takes into account, will they might try to game the system for their benefit? It's good practice to ask questions like: How might a story on a specific algorithm expose it to manipulation? And who would benefit from that manipulation? Read more