📣 Join us on March 10 for a talk by Dr. Robin Nabi, Professor of Communication at UC Santa Barbara, as she challenges the “digital danger” narrative.

Policymakers are focusing on what algorithms recommend, but miss how the structures around them, incentives, data flows, and business models, actually drive polarization.

When tools built for pattern‑matching take a shot at shaping legal text, issues like bias, accountability, and democratic legitimacy move from abstract concerns to real world consequences. It’s a reminder that AI in public policy isn’t just a tech question, it’s a civic one.

AI adoption has significantly accelerated across the federal government, sparking both excitement about efficiency and concerns about oversight and rights.

A new Knight Institute Initiative is working to protect press freedom in the face of government secrecy and legal power, especially when reporters are caught up in investigations without clear limits or transparency.

A few simple questions can help people spot misinformation and think more critically about what they see online, a skill that matters for everyone, not just students.

Check out our new series #CMEPicks — recommendations from our team that spark bigger conversations about communication, media, and society💡 Our first pick comes from Ava Motes: “Speech Sounds” by Octavia Butler.

Can artificial intelligence improve democratic engagement? This case study examines the use of a generative AI caller in a 2024 political campaign and explores research on trust, transparency, and ethical concerns in AI-mediated communication.

@nytimes.com shows ICE expanding its use of facial recognition and surveillance tech in daily enforcement. Experts and civil liberties advocates say this raises serious privacy, accuracy, and constitutional concerns as surveillance tech moves beyond traditional settings.

Love is great. Misinformation isn’t. Choose wisely 🧡

As AI becomes more central to how public institutions operate, these early policy signals can shape everything from procurement to ethical standards. It’s worth paying attention to how they unfold.

This Galentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the women who lead our center. 💖 We're grateful for the guidance of our center directors Talia Stroud, Gina and Melody! #GalentinesDay #WomenInResearch #WomenInLeadership

When reporting itself becomes subject to intrusive searches, it’s not just a newsroom issue, it affects how journalists can do their jobs and how the public can trust in an independent press. knightcolumbia.org/c...

Newsrooms are trying to make their reporting more meaningful and useful, not just faster or louder, but more connected to what communities actually need.

ChatGPT is being asked about local news over 1 million times per week, showing just how much people are turning to AI tools for community information.

Asking just a few simple questions can make a big difference in spotting misinformation, not just for students, but for anyone trying to make sense of what they see online.

⚽️ When sports reporters take on endorsement deals, where should the line be drawn between journalism and promotion? This case study explores questions of credibility, disclosure, and whether sports journalism should be treated differently from other forms of reporting. mediaengagement.org/...

Even everyday interactions with chatbots can shape how people think and feel, especially when the technology reinforces harmful ideas. It’s a reminder that AI design choices matter for mental health, not just innovation.

Involving people and communities in shaping rules and impacts in AI governance is just as important as understanding the tech itself.

When the public repeatedly experiences the same sequence – confident claims, partial disclosures, shifting explanations, delayed evidence, lies – the damage can outlast any single incident.

From public funding to new partnerships and nonprofit innovation. An interesting look at how America might revitalize local news by focusing on a sustainable, community‑centered model.

If we care about polarization, public discourse, and trust, understanding who’s actually making the content is as important as what they’re seeing.

From community spaces to apps, news avoiders still pick up info from alternative places. If we only think about traditional channels, we miss a lot of how people actually learn what’s happening.

📣 Join us for a talk with Eszter Hargittai that explores how older adults navigate digital life.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms worked to limit vaccine misinformation but new questions emerged when misleading content appeared to encourage vaccination.

From features that encourage positive interaction to practical ideas for reducing harm in digital communities. This kind of research-to-practice work is essential for platforms that support meaningful connection rather than just engagement.

🎬 Join us for a screening of Tiananmen Tonight, followed by a conversation with co-directors Bestor Cram and Michael Streissguth. Hosted by @engagingnews.bsky.social and the School of Journalism & Media.

Thank you for sharing our work on how clear example of how small shifts in language can shape how people engage online!

This development is a reminder that when AI tools are used in high-stakes areas like health, precision and context matter as much as innovation.

How will policy decisions shape not just tech markets, but also the flow of information, media trust, and the way platforms influence public discourse? A must-read for anyone following AI’s societal impact.

We are excited to see work focused on open, human-centered social tech. Looking forward to following this!

When breaking news involves complex video evidence, just showing the footage isn’t enough. Adding context, verification, and explanation so audiences can better understand what they’re seeing is vital.

Great piece highlights that journalist safety begins with leadership and newsroom systems, not after harm has already occurred.

As well as our own research into local digital spaces, created with New_ Public Co-Founder @taliastroud.bsky.social and the @engagingnews.bsky.social!

Start 2026 with insights on media, trust, and democracy. Subscribe to the CME newsletter for research, resources, and updates throughout the year: mediaengagement.org/...

Through our Media Ethics Initiative, we offer more than 150 free ethics case studies to support teaching, learning, and discussion around value conflicts in media, journalism, and digital communication. Explore them here:

Bi-partisan support for platform research is slipping, yet the need to understand how social networks shape public discourse has never been greater.

What’s Next for CME?💡 As we begin the new year, we continue our work in a time of rapid change and fraying social bonds. Our research, teaching, and public engagement focus on strengthening the information ecosystem in support of a healthy democracy.

Cheers to 2026! 🥂 Wishing our community a year filled with insight, collaboration, and meaningful media conversations. Happy New Year from CME!

Newsrooms should focus on adapting in today’s evolving media landscape from rethinking audience engagement to experimenting with new revenue models and tech workflows.

What does it mean to take bias seriously in journalism? In a recent Nieman Lab piece, @taliastroud.bsky.social explores why 2026 may be the year newsrooms move beyond simply claiming neutrality, and instead actively examine how bias is perceived, evaluated, and addressed.

Warm holiday wishes from CME 🎄 May this season bring moments of comfort, warmth, and good company.

A look at how people across generations use social media and messaging apps to get news, and what that means for trust and information habits. It’s interesting to see how shifts in where people encounter news affect the broader information environment.

It’s important to highlight practical ways to help people spot misinformation and think critically online. Not just for students, but for all of us who are trying to make sense of what we see and share.

Holiday season means more scrolling and more creator-led conversations.🎄📱

Research from Dr. Jo Lukito is out now: “New Tech, Same Goals: Why Political Communication Hasn’t Changed Much Despite AI.” The article breaks down how AI is reshaping political communication tools but not the underlying strategies. Read it here: www.tandfonline.com/...

CME's Talia Stroud discusses new research in collaboration with @newpublic.org that looks at which local digital spaces people use, how they use and view them, and how they feel about their community. Check out the discussion: www.youtube.com/watc...

A year of research advancing trust, connection, and democracy! Happy we could reach hundreds of thousands of people along the way. Thanks for supporting us. On to the next year!

On to the next year!

Thanks for supporting us!