Gatekeeping (communication) - The Gatekeeping Model

The Gatekeeping Model

Lewin identified several parts of the gatekeeping process in his 1943 article. 1) Information moves step by step through channels. The number of channels varies and the amount of time in each channel can vary. 2) Information must pass a “gate” to move from one channel to the next, such that 3) Forces govern channels. There may be opposing psychological forces causing conflict which creates resistance to movement through the channel. Further, 4) There may be several channels that lead to the same end result. And 5) Different actors may control the channels and act as gatekeepers at different times.