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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life

@citap.bsky.social
5.1K followers 48 following 82 posts

We research the intersection of technology platforms and democratic society. Our work produces insights that inform a digital future rooted in equality and justice. linktr.ee/unc_citap

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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
How is AI shaping the 2026 midterm elections? Join CITAP on Oct. 7 from noon-1 p.m. in Carroll Hall 305 for a panel on AI’s role in campaigns and voter information during UNC’s First Amendment Day. 🔗 Learn more: go.unc.edu/ai-midterm-elections
A pile of red, white and blue buttons that say vote.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Academic freedom takes center stage at UNC’s First Amendment Day. 🏫 Join us Oct. 7 from 5:30-7 p.m. for the keynote panel, “The Shifting Frontiers of Academic Freedom.” 🔗 go.unc.edu/keynote-first-amendment-day-2026
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Stand up for the freedom to read this Banned Books Week! 📚 Join us Oct. 7 from 10-11 a.m. on the front steps of Manning Hall for UNC’s Banned Books Reading, part of First Amendment Day. 🔗 go.unc.edu/banned-books-reading #UNCCITAP #UNCSDIS #UNC #BannedBooksWeek
go.unc.edu
Banned Books Reading - School of Data and Information Sciences
Hosted in collaboration with the School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) and the University Libraries, this event celebrates our essential First Amendment rights through the power of literature...
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Their work comes at a crucial moment as technology companies advance competing visions of AI development that may conflict with democratic values. Read the full report: citap.unc.edu/publications...
citap.unc.edu
AI Governance & Democracy: A Statement of Principles and Transatlantic Research Goals - The Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP)
This initiative demonstrates ongoing academic cooperation between U.S. and European institutions, even as formal governmental dialogues have faced recent setbacks. The framework provides a roadmap for...
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Key components include: ✨Shared democratic principles for AI governance ✨Commitment to human rights and social justice ✨Framework for balancing innovation with protective oversight ✨Environmental and workforce considerations ✨Proposed research goals across five critical areas
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
The statement outlines key principles and research priorities for ensuring AI development serves democratic values. The framework bridges U.S. innovation strengths with EU human rights protections, offering a unified approach to pressing challenges in AI oversight.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
“AI technologies are not inevitable… their development and widespread use are subject to democratic governance.” We’ve released a new joint report from UNC + @unituebingen.bsky.social: "AI Governance & Democracy: A Statement of Principles and Transatlantic Research Goals".
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
🚨TODAY!🚨 We'll see you all soon! 📚👀
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Knight-Georgetown Institute (KGI) @knightgtown.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Want to learn more? Tune in to KGI’s upcoming webinar on March 25th at 11am about how to fix the feeds 😊 Report authors will explain how algorithms are currently designed and how the report guidelines can make them better. Register now! 👇 bit.ly/4bBbraR
bit.ly
Better Feeds: Algorithms That Put People First – Knight-Georgetown Institute
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Now is the time to work on that narrative. Now is the time to reinvest in your relationships with your colleagues, students, universities, and the academic fields you are a part of to steel them for what's ahead. Now is the time to fight for your universities.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
While there are no clear answers, drawing on his experiences in Hungary, Kristóf Szombati told CITAP and the Knight Research Network in December how important it is for researchers to craft a public narrative about the public value of institutions of higher learning and freedom of inquiry.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
"No institution wins if the sector is demoralized, defunded and delegitimized." Read our full newsletter on the current attack on academic freedom here 👇
open.substack.com
Resisting Attacks on Academic Freedom and Inquiry
How power, politics, and fear are undermining the heart of higher education.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
As Tressie McMillan Cottom said in a recent @nytimes.com conversation, "Our current crisis is an amalgamation of two tensions: We want the elitism of prestigious universities and yet we do not want them to have any control of our culture or status."
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
If we allow our universities to be gutted, we risk losing one of democracy’s fundamental pillars – the cultivation of knowledge, critical inquiry, and informed citizenship that sustain a free society.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
American higher education now faces a perfect storm of demoralization, defunding, and delegitimization​. These attacks are not random or isolated; they follow a classic authoritarian playbook, and go beyond ordinary policy disagreements and have become an existential threat to the academic sector.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Lunch will be provided, along with some other fun items (📘👀), so RSVP to secure your spot now! forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
forms.office.com
Microsoft Forms
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Dr. Sherri M. Williams is the author of "Black Social Television: How Black Twitter Changed Television", highlighting how Black audiences shape media industries.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Dr. Meredith D. Clark is the author of "We Tried to Tell Y’all: Black Twitter & Black Digital Resistance", exploring how Black Twitter amplifies marginalized voices and disrupts erasure.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Dr. Meredith D. Clark & Dr. Sherri M. Williams will explore how Black digital communities have transformed TV, influenced representation, and challenged media gatekeepers. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with two leading scholars on Black digital activism!
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Join us for "Black Twitter: Talking Back and Transforming Television", a conversation on digital activism, media, and culture with Meredith D. Clark and Sherri M. Williams: ✬ March 26 ✬ 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ✬ Halls of Fame, Carroll Hall ✬ Lunch provided 🔗 RSVP here: forms.office.com/r/j7cFNhTWRC
forms.office.com
Microsoft Forms
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Katie Furl @katherinefurl.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Ecstatic to announce I'll join the University of North Dakota this fall as an Assistant Professor of Sociology! Honored to be a part of a close-knit community of dedicated faculty and students and to represent the Eternal Flame—persevering through adversity to make a tangible impact for the better.
The Eternal Flame
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Patrick Gildersleve @gildersleve.uk · 10/02/2025
📄 Excited to share a new dataset preprint! WikiReddit: Tracing Information and Attention Flows Between Online Platforms A collaboration with @beeeeeers.bsky.social, Viviane Ito, Agustin Orozco, and @ftripodi.bsky.social at @citap.bsky.social .
A screenshot of the start of the paper "WikiReddit: Tracing Information and Attention Flows Between Online Platforms"
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
"We Tried to Tell Y’All: Black Twitter and the Rise of Digital Counternarratives" by Meredith Clark – exploring how Black social media users have built a vital space for resistance, storytelling, and cultural commentary.
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Knight Foundation @knightfoundation.org · 31/01/2025
The latest @pewresearch.org & Knight report reveals that almost 1 in 5 U.S. adults regularly get their news from influencers on social media. Sign up to join news influencers and social media experts on 2/16 to discuss the rapidly changing news landscape: kf.org/4aGa9e9.
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Marie Hermanova @mariher.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
This is one last (unplanned) result of my Fulbright fellowship at CITAP. If you feel like reading a thorough analysis of how authoritarian tendencies overcome our democracies and what the US can learn from Central and Eastern Europe, click below (featuring among others, @ivan-kalmar.bsky.social)
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
"There is no more powerful political tool than occupying the high ground of popular culture." Authoritarianism thrives by shaping narratives—resisting it starts with understanding how those narratives are built. Read, reflect, and share this tool broadly. 🔗Link in bio
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
III. The War on Gender in Authoritarian Politics Gender & identity politics are central to right-wing mobilization. This section unpacks how the Right weaponizes gender to fuel nationalism, suppress dissent, & shape political discourse.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
II. Authoritarian Politics in Everyday Life How does authoritarianism embed itself into institutions & daily experiences? This section explores the economic, political, & cultural forces that sustain authoritarian rule—and how they adapt globally.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
What’s inside?👇 I. Learning from the Past This section covers books & essays on the totalitarian regimes of the Soviet Bloc before 1989 & their aftermath. What happens when a society transitions away from authoritarian rule? What lessons can we learn today?
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Authoritarianism isn’t just a regional issue—it’s a global phenomenon. This guide explores how authoritarian politics take root, drawing on lessons from Central & Eastern Europe. Understanding these patterns can help us resist them elsewhere.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
CITAP, in collaboration with Marie Heřmanová (@mariher.bsky.social) & Kristóf Szombati, presents a very timely and important reading list: "Authoritarian Politics: How to Understand It and How to Resist It." ...🧵 citap.unc.edu/wp-content/u...
citap.unc.edu
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
In today's newsletter: -South Korea’s fight and lessons for global democracy from @heesoojang.bsky.social -Kamala Harris’ campaign and its impact on future leadership -The rise of GLP-1 medications and their implications -The role of social media in shaping online interactions and digital trust
open.substack.com
Democracy in Crisis, Digital Platforms, and Leadership Redefined
From South Korea's unrest to Kamala Harris’ campaign, GLP-1 medications, and social media’s impact—CITAP researchers tackle today’s key challenges.
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Heesoo Jang @heesoojang.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
I was preparing to pitch an op-ed on the nationwide protests calling for President Yoon's resignation, aiming to provide global context amid the limited international coverage. Given the urgency, I’m sharing it now. I didn’t expect events to escalate this quickly. #SouthKorea #Democracy
docs.google.com
South Korea Is Fighting for Democracy Again—And the World Needs to Know
Last updated December 3, 10:09 AM South Korea Is Fighting for Democracy Again—And the World Needs to Know Heesoo Jang Assistant Professor of Media Law and Ethics Journalism Department, University of...
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
A few CITAPers are at NCA this week in New Orleans. Are you presenting? Let us know when and on what below! 👇👇👇
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
🚨TODAY!🚨 Join us in-person or virtually for "Experience vs. Expertise" with @mariher.bsky.social. Explore how social media creators balance authenticity and authority, and the impact of gender in digital spaces.
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Digital Democracy Centre @ddc-sdu.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
At the Digital Democracy Centre, we've just created this cool new starter pack featuring research institutions, researchers, NGOs, journals, and think tanks focused on how digital technologies and AI impact media, politics, and democracy. We'll be updating the list continuously!
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Dawn Durante @dawnd.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
The Justice, Power, and Politics series is edited by @historianheather.bsky.social and Rhonda Y. Williams. #JPPbooks publishes new works that explore questions of social justice and political power and struggles for justice in the twentieth century. It is the definition of a field-defining series.
uncpress.org
Justice, Power, and Politics - Books in the Series
Books in the series Justice, Power, and Politics, published by the University of North Carolina Press.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
This Friday at 3pm EST, CITAP is hosting "Experience vs. Expertise" with Dr. Marie Heřmanová, where she will explore social media, authenticity, and authority. Join us in person or via Zoom.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
The Democrats' “we’re not Trump” stance didn’t resonate. Tressie argues that Americans need to hear a story that acknowledges their fears and frustrations—simply being “different” wasn’t enough.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
On a broader scale, the fractured media landscape gave Trump an advantage. As @dkreiss.bsky.social notes, today’s digital ecosystem allowed Trump to speak directly to audiences who felt disconnected from mainstream news.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Tressie McMillan Cottom breaks down why Trump connects with voters: he speaks to their emotions and offers a story of winning, even without specific policies. It’s more than politics; it’s about making people feel seen and heard.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Just published: "Fractured Platforms, Unified Narratives" - a deep dive into the 2024 election through the lens of storytelling and identity politics, the migration from X to Bluesky, a CITAP book review on January 6th & more.
citap.substack.com
Fractured Platforms, Unified Narratives
Examining the 2024 election through the lens of storytelling and identity politics, the migration from X to Bluesky, a CITAP book review on January 6th & more.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
We’re building a future rooted in understanding power, uplifting people, and setting new precedents—let’s create it together.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
Whether you're a researcher, student, policymaker, or engaged citizen, your voice matters here. On our feed, you’ll find updates on CITAP events, newly published research papers, and opportunities to engage with our work firsthand.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
Welcome to all of our new followers 🎉 We’re committed to strengthening democracy through rigorous research on the impact of technology, information, & media in society. We’re excited to engage with you, share our insights into the digital landscape, & create more equitable information ecosystems.
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
You ✨do not✨ want to miss this talk on Friday.... 3pm-4pm EST, join us at Carroll Hall or online! ✬RSVP below✬
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 31/10/2024
✨Join us on Nov. 15th, 3-4 PM at the Freedom Forum (or via livestream) for "Experience vs. Expertise" with @mariher.bsky.social !✨ Explore how social media creators balance authenticity and authority, and the impact of gender in digital spaces. 👇👇👇
citap.unc.edu
Marie Heřmanová: Experience vs. Expertise - The Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP)
Join CITAP and Marie Heřmanová as she examines how social media creators balance authenticity and authority in political discourse, influenced by gender dynamics.
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Daniel Kreiss @dkreiss.bsky.social · 30/10/2024
Honored to have the great A.J. Bauer review Media and January 6th: "While the historians question whether we can, the political communication scholars insist that we must." (cc co-editors @rebekahtromble.bsky.social @shannimcg.bsky.social Khadijah Costley White). www.tandfonline.com/eprint/V3DDA...
tandfonline.com
January 6 and the Politics of History and Media and January 6th
Published in American Journalism (Ahead of Print, 2024)
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 29/10/2024
🚨TODAY!🚨 You do not want to miss this insightful and timely discussion. Join us at 5pm in Carroll Hall, or via Zoom Webinar. 👇👇👇 t.co/SqOhzN6DQw
t.co
https://citap.unc.edu/events/racialized-disinformation/
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Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life @citap.bsky.social · 28/10/2024
Dinner will be served, and if you are a UNC undergrad, you can earn a CLE credit! 👀
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