The views expressed in Shorenstein Center Discussion Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Kennedy School or of Harvard University. Discussion Papers have not undergone formal review and approval. Such papers are included in this series to elicit feedback and to encourage debate on important issues and challenges […]
September 11, 2018—Siva Vaidhyanathan, Robertson Professor of Media Studies and director of the Center for Media and Citizenship at the University of Virginia, joined Shorenstein Center director Nicco Mele for a conversation about his new book. Below is the full audio of the conversation, and you can subscribe to the Shorenstein Center’s podcast on iTunes, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Stitcher. Selected
Siva Vaidhyanathan on social media and its effects on democracy Read More »
Speaker series on fake news and misinformation, co-sponsored by the NULab at Northeastern University. Many of the ideas for sifting truth from fiction in news feeds entail Facebook embracing its currently-singular role as a social network. Relying on that centrality may seem efficient and beneficial in the short term, but it’s a recipe for deep trouble in
Cambridge, MA—First Draft, a project run by Shorenstein Center Fellow Claire Wardle, has launched a free one-hour online course to teach journalists, students, and members of the general public basic tools to verify the authenticity of content found online. Countless examples of people earnestly sharing Photoshopped images of natural disasters, or retweeting content from Russian
First Draft Launches Free Course on Identifying Misinformation Online Read More »
Speaker series on fake news and misinformation, co-sponsored by the NULab at Northeastern University. Recent public attention and debate around “fake news” has highlighted the growing challenge of determining information veracity online. This is a complex and dynamic problem at the intersection of technology, human cognition, and human behavior—i.e. our strategies and heuristics for making
Muddied Waters: Online Disinformation during Crisis Events Read More »
February 13, 2018— Garrett Graff, journalist, author, and director of the Aspen Institute’s cybersecurity and technology program, discussed Robert Mueller’s investigations, election cybersecurity, and threats to U.S. democracy during a visit to the Shorenstein Center. Below are some highlights of his conversation with Shorenstein Center Director Nicco Mele. Graff, who has written about Mueller extensively,
Garrett Graff on Trump, Mueller, Russia, and Cybersecurity Read More »
Over the past year, there has been rising pressure on Facebook, Google and Twitter to account for how bad actors are exploiting their platforms. The catalyst of this so-called “tech-lash” was the revelation in summer 2017 that agents of the Russian government engaged in disinformation operations using these services to influence the 2016 presidential campaigns.
#DigitalDeceit: The Technologies Behind Precision Propaganda on the Internet Read More »
October 24, 2017 — Nancy Scola, senior technology reporter for Politico, discussed the regulation of tech platforms, their role in the 2016 election, cyber security, and more during a visit to the Shorenstein Center. Below are some highlights from her conversation with Nicco Mele, Shorenstein Center Director, as well as the full audio. The Shorenstein Center’s
Politico’s Nancy Scola: Reporting on and Regulating the Tech Industry Read More »
A Report from the Shorenstein Center’s Single Subject News Engagement Project Executive Summary Email is a crucial vehicle for media companies to generate reader revenue, yet the ways we talk about and measure email have not changed for almost two decades. Flawed, static measures can distract from success and lead to misguided strategies, crippling the
Using Data Science Tools for Email Audience Analysis: A Research Guide Read More »
October 4, 2016 — Zeynep Tufekci, a New York Times opinion writer who focuses on the social impact of technology, discussed the advantages and shortcomings of the use of technology in protest movements. Tufekci, who is also an associate professor in the School of Information and Library Science at UNC, and a faculty associate at
Zeynep Tufekci: Technology in Global Activism, Uprisings and Social Movements Read More »
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