**CALL FOR PAPERS** Upcoming workshop at QMUL in January, looking at autism, focused interests, and communication across diverse contexts. How can we centre autistic interests as a strength rather than a symptom? Contributions outside academia welcome. Please share widely!

New research from @dartmouthcollege.bsky.social analysed 25 studies testing 77 different approaches to reduce partisan hostility — from correcting misperceptions to fostering contact across political lines. 🧵 1/2

On 15 July 2025, the Department for Education released its long-awaited statutory guidance for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE). The team at Reimagining RSE have analysed this guidance and shared their thoughts in their latest blog post. 🔗 tinyurl.com/4pvtzhzz TLDR 👇 #DRAGON #RSHE

At the Lib Dem conference, Sir Ed Davey accused the BBC of giving Nigel Farage and Reform UK too much uncritical airtime — going so far as to say its coverage sometimes looks like “copy and paste” from party press releases. 🔗 www.lbc.co.uk/article/ed-d... TLDR 👇 #impartiality #journalism

It was very exciting to hear Dr @jessaiston.bsky.social on the latest episode of the "Word of Mouth" podcast, discussing her work on the language of the manosphere. Listen here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... #langsky #forensiclinguistics

A disturbing new report from the @iwf.org.uk has uncovered chatbots offering explicit scenarios with preteen characters – some illustrated by AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). 🔗 tinyurl.com/z8mypnyj TLDR 👇 #DRAGON #onlinesafety #onlinesafetyact #onlineharms #childsafeguarding

#NowReading #langsky

Wishing the incredible cast/company and production team the very best of luck as they begin filming Game Over 🎭 Powerful play that shares Breck Bednar’s real story. Your work continues to move audiences and spark conversations about online safety. 📸 www.scarlettmadisonphotography.co.uk

Today is the last day to sign-up for the DRAGON-Shield for Parents project. Please share with your networks. We are looking for UK-based parents/caregivers of children aged 9-17. #DRAGON #onlinegrooming #onlinegroomingawareness #onlinegroomingprevention #onlinesafety #childsafeguarding #onlineharm

🚨 Don’t miss our webinar later today on security clearance, data access, & ethics in extremism research! Gain valuable insights and join the conversation. See you there! 👇 #Webinar #ExtremismResearch #Ethics

Important decision now for all journalists in Wales - how much scrutiny will they pay to Reform’s policies ahead of the Senedd elections even if the party won’t speak to them 🤔 👇

A new study from The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital shows that the type of platform matters when young teens look online for sexual health information. 🔗 TLDR 👇 news.osu.edu/why-some-soc... #DRAGON #onlinesafety #sexeducation #socialmedia

A new paper by philosopher Zeynep Soysal (University of Rochester) argues that opinion journalism, often criticised as “biased,” can actually play a vital role in public life. 🔗 tinyurl.com/bdb49uny TLDR 👇 #journalism #impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #politicalcommunication

Due to Bluesky video limits, a lot of people haven't been able to share some of the fabulous Groyper explainer videos being passed around the internet. So I'm splitting them up & posting the best ones here: Please save the thread & share with others! GROYPER EXPLAINER THREAD: 🧵👇🏼

A piece by The Guardian tracked one family’s week with Grem, an AI chatbot toy meant for young children. At first, it seems innocent but, over time, little details emerge that raise big questions about data, emotional attachment, & what it means for kids growing up with AI. 🔗 tinyurl.com/4ky2w2ps

Pleased to say that the reprint of the special issue "The Past, Present and Future of Fan-Fiction" that me, @berthac.bsky.social, @acafanmom.bsky.saccessand Lincoln Geraghty edited is now available as open access PDF online and in hardback: doi.org/10.3390/book....

A reminder that Frazer's talk starts in half an hour! Here is the Zoom link: tinyurl.com/talkddi (please use a recognisable username) @ylvabiri.bsky.social @lulind.bsky.social #DDIAFinLa #OSSO 🐦🐦🐦

The tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk has highlighted a worrying trend: the radicalisation of young men through online gaming communities and the “dark internet.” 🔗 tinyurl.com/3cwfdppa TLDR 👇 #CharlieKirk #polsky #antiextremistresearch #onlineradicalisation #onlinegaming #radicalright #rightwing

This morning, I listened to Today in Focus on the protests outside “migrant hotels” + the Unite the Kingdom march. It explored who attended these events, what motivated them, and how they positioned themselves in relation to the label “far-right.” 🔗 open.spotify.com/episode/6vlJ... #polsky

Join us for the new season of online talks, this year co-organised by OSSO and the Digital Discourse & Interaction research network @lulind.bsky.social The first talk is already tomorrow! @nounfraze.bsky.social

Today, the UK Parliament will put Online Safety Act (OSA) measures under the microscope. Representatives from @mollyroseorg.bsky.social, @nspcc.bsky.social & @5rightsfound.bsky.social will give evidence on whether Ofcom’s plans will truly make children safer online. 🔗 tinyurl.com/4p2f7mcb TLDR 👇

Why do so many people feel unable to share their political views? This @us.theconversation.com piece explores the rise of self-censorship in the US, where people who believe their opinions are unpopular stay quiet to avoid backlash or isolation. 🔗 tinyurl.com/3us3yd3f TLDR 👇 #polsky

Parents & caregivers, time is running out to join DRAGON-Shield for Parents — an exciting new project from DRAGON in partnership with the @breckfoundation.bsky.social. Sign up link: tinyurl.com/47curzpw Please share with your networks. #DRAGON #BreckFoundation #onlinesafety #onlineharms

DRAGON & the @breckfoundation.bsky.social have joined forces to recruit parents & caregivers in order to develop DRAGON-Shield for Parents — a groundbreaking tool designed to help families understand & protect against online grooming and harmful interactions. 🔗 tinyurl.com/4e7bhxxf More info 👇

Our AHRC funded study was produced by @mattwalshjourno.bsky.social @maxwellmodell.bsky.social and @perkinskeighley.bsky.social and myself @stephencushion.bsky.social at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social – can be read in full here. www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/party-p...

Our new impartiality study out and in The Guardian - We found Reform given more airtime on TV news likely due to broadcasters taking into account the party’s latest electoral performance and sustained lead in the polls over several months. Thread 1/6: www.theguardian.com/media/2025/s...

It's my first time at the #FutureOfJournalism conference at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social & I am very excited. I'm looking forward to learning more about #factchecking, #wellbeing & #audiencestudies. I'm also looking forward to meeting new colleagues so please do come say 👋🏻 if you're here! #FOJ2025

Today’s murder of Charlie Kirk is outrageous. It is part of a dangerous pattern of violence that threatens the safety of all communities. This violence is unacceptable and tears at the social fabric, and we must find a way to work together to end it.

#NowReading #langsky

DRAGON is inviting parents & caregivers to join an exciting new project that could make a real difference in keeping children safe online. But here’s the catch: there are just 9 days left to sign up. Please share this post with your networks, colleagues, & friends who might be interested. Link 👇

Good to see our latest AHRC @cujournmedcul.bsky.social research informing debates about the due impartiality of broadcasters with @mattwalshjourno.bsky.social @perkinskeighley.bsky.social @maxwellmodell.bsky.social 👇

The internet offers children incredible benefits—learning, creativity, connections—but it also carries very real risks. As highlighted by NSPCC’s Kate Edwards in LBC, even everyday online activities can expose kids to hidden dangers. 🔗 www.lbc.co.uk/article/nspc... TLDR 👇 #DRAGON #onlinesafety

Kids are growing up in a digital world where friendships, fun & unfortunately, risks are just a click away. While online grooming is a growing threat, it isn’t always easy to spot. That’s why we’re building DRAGON-Shield for Parents — & we want YOU to help shape it. Find out more 👇 #DRAGON

Does Reform UK and Nigel Farage feature more in TV news than Lib Dems and Ed Davey? Our new study in @theipaper.com shows they do which suggests broadcasters are applying more weight to the latest polls than no. of MPs in impartial news reporting (thread 1/5): inews.co.uk/culture/tele...

Great write up of our political debate show study in The Media Leader - 'Broadcast debate shows prioritising Labour and Tory guests despite third-party surge' uk.themedialeader.com/broadcast-de...

Our new @cujournmedcul.bsky.social study on political debate shows raises topical questions about how broadcasters interpret impartiality - do Reform get too much coverage? Or should they get more coverage so our leading journalists get scrutinise the party’s policies and claims more? 👇

Online grooming is a growing threat – & it isn’t always easy to spot. That’s why we're teaming up with the Breck Foundation to recruit parents & caregivers for DRAGON-Shield for Parents. Sign-up by Friday 19th September 2025: tinyurl.com/4e7bhxxf #DRAGON #DRAGONShield #onlinesafety #onlineharms

Just listened to The Guardian’s Full Story podcast on the far-right riots that erupted in Australia last weekend. While protesters claimed migration levels were to blame, the real story is how the media should report on such events. 🔗 tinyurl.com/3nh4rc76 TLDR 👇 #farright #journalism

New impartiality study 🚀 We analysed which politicians appear on UK debate and panel programmes. Broadcasters prioritise balancing Labs and Cons instead of reflecting the vote share in the GE or recent opinion polls, which show growing support for third parties. (1/7) 🔗 shorturl.at/pZjwv

The government has announced plans to ban nudify apps – which use AI to strip clothes from photos and generate fake explicit images – and to hold tech companies legally responsible under a new “digital duty of care” approach. 🔗 tinyurl.com/5bfsvzxm #DRAGON #nudifyapps #onlinesafety #onlineharm

This week, a coalition of prominent women – including musicians Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church and Anoushka Shankar, alongside MPs, union leaders and campaigners – signed an open letter rejecting far-right attempts to link sexual violence in Britain to asylum seekers. 🔗 tinyurl.com/mwahw742 TLDR 👇

Our new (open access) book now published: 'Countering Misinformation in Political Reporting: Enhancing Journalistic Legitimacy' with Maria Kyriakidou at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social Thread 1/8 edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-counter...

In the UK’s 2024 general election, Reform UK leapt from the political fringes to third place, securing 14% of the vote & 5 parliamentary seats. But this isn’t just a UK story. Radical right-wing populist parties are gaining momentum globally — &, in many cases, real power. 🔗 tinyurl.com/mpa5vded

New research highlights how young people experiencing abuse or neglect are increasingly turning to platforms like Instagram, Reddit, and peer-support communities to share their stories, seek validation, and connect with others who understand. 🔗 tinyurl.com/3r2ta8mr TLDR 👇 #DRAGON

So excited to start sharing our research on our new website! Impartiality is the bedrock of British broadcasting. We hope to defend its principles, improve public understanding, interrogate its application and unlimited enhance the impartiality of political news. 🔗 enhancinginpartiality.com

🚀 We’ve launched! The Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project is now live with our brand new website where we will share updates & findings as the project develops. 🔗 enhancingimpartiality.com More info 👇 #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediastudies #journalism #polsky

New data from the @iwf.org.uk and @nspcc.bsky.social ChildLine shows reports of sexual extortion (‘sextortion’) against children have soared by 72% in just one year. 🔗 tinyurl.com/2jshze29 TLDR 👇 #DRAGON #sextortion #onlineharm #onlinesafety #childsafeguarding #digitalsafeguarding

🎧 I recently listened to a powerful podcast episode with Dr Maya Goodfellow on how UK politicians talk about immigration — and how the language has steadily shifted in ways that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. 🔗 tinyurl.com/yrey5mzt TLDR 👇 #langsky #polsky #farright

👨‍👩‍👧 Calling all parents & caregivers! Join us + @breckfoundation.bsky.social to help shape DRAGON-Shield for Parents – a new tool to keep children safe from online grooming. Free training + priority access. Register by 19 Sept 👉 tinyurl.com/47curzpw #DRAGON #BreckFoundation #onlinesafety

While warning their audiences not to be “sheep,” bad-faith actors use a range of manipulative tricks designed to make sure people don’t think clearly or independently. 🔗 tinyurl.com/mr27n9j7 TLDR 👇 #misinformation #politicalcommunication #politics #politicallanguage #politicaldiscourse