Sign in

The Media, Inequality & Change Center

@miccenter.bsky.social
2.8K followers 79 following 69 posts

The Media, Inequality & Change Center explores the intersections between media, democracy, technology, policy, and social justice.

PostsRepliesMedia
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Reminder to RSVP for tomorrow’s talk with Andrew Ryvkin at the Annenberg School for Communication, Room 500, at 12pm. Lunch will be provided!
021
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Tuesday, Sept 29, at 12pm! Join MIC and @penn-rees.bsky.social for Pop-Propaganda: How the Kremlin Markets Its War Like Disney and Coca-Cola. In this talk, journalist Andrew Ryvkin will explore the parallels between classic marketing and modern Russian propaganda. Learn more and register here:
buff.ly
Pop-Propaganda: How The Kremlin Markets Its War Like Disney and Coca-Cola
Join the MIC Center and the Department of Russian and East European Studies for a colloquium on Russian propaganda in the digital age with journalist and political analyst Andrew Ryvkin.
013
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Exciting news! MIC Co-Director @sjjphd.bsky.social is a candidate in ICA’s presidential election. You can read her candidate statement here:
000
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Tuesday, Sept 29, at 12pm! Join MIC and @penn-rees.bsky.social for Pop-Propaganda: How the Kremlin Markets Its War Like Disney and Coca-Cola. In this talk, journalist Andrew Ryvkin will explore the parallels between classic marketing and modern Russian propaganda. Learn more and register here:
buff.ly
Pop-Propaganda: How The Kremlin Markets Its War Like Disney and Coca-Cola
Join the MIC Center and the Department of Russian and East European Studies for a colloquium on Russian propaganda in the digital age with journalist and political analyst Andrew Ryvkin.
013
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Annenberg School at Penn @asc.upenn.edu · 17/06/2026
In her new book, Associate Professor @sjjphd.bsky.social traces how historical and contemporary writers, journalists, and filmmakers have strengthened the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness:
asc.upenn.edu
A ‘Second Sight’ on American History
064
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Tomorrow! Sara M. Lomax speaks with @sjjphd.bsky.social about her new book, A Second Sight, at the Parkway Central Library as part of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Author Events Series.
freelibraryfoundation.org
Sarah J. Jackson | A Second Sight
The Author Events Series presents Sarah J. Jackson | A Second Sight In Conversation with Sara M. Lomax Since the nation’s founding, Black Americans have had a unique perspective on the U.S.
072
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
This new report by @sanjayjahlee.bsky.social emphasizes the need for a "vigorous defense of collective worker organizing" to enshrine labor rights in the American legal system and provides strategic resources for pro-labor legal advocates.
lpe.law.harvard.edu
REPORT | An Anti-Oligarchy Framework for Constitutional Labor Advocacy
020
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
If you're attending #ICA26 make sure to stop by the launch party for @sjjphd.bsky.social's new book, A Second Sight: How the Wonder and Vision of Black Mediamakers Push America Toward Freedom. buff.ly/wJm9f6Q
buff.ly
Book Launch Party: A Second Sight
Join us at ICA 2026 to Celebrate Sarah J. Jackson's New Book!
030
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Broadband is critical to PA's economy, public services, and quality of life. The Cost of Inaction, a new publication from the Pennsylvania Broadband Research Institute, exposes the mishandling of broadband policy in PA and shares recommendations and opportunities for improvement. buff.ly/9KWvRjc
The Cost of Inaction: Pennsylvania's Broken Broadband Governance and the Path Forward cover page. Title and authors (Christopher Ali, PhD, David Elliot Berman, PhD, Sydney Forde, PhD, Aaron Hyzen, PhD, Sascha Meinrath, and Abby Simmerman) on dark blue vertical banner in front of an image of a cell tower in the foreground and a blue sky with orange clouds during a sunset.
141
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Victor Pickard @victorpickard.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
A nice write-up of some of our recent research at the @miccenter.bsky.social, with lead authors @davidberman.bsky.social and Aaron Hyzen. penntoday.upenn.edu/news/how-pa-...
penntoday.upenn.edu
How PA nonprofit newsrooms see their role in addressing the journalism crisis | Penn Today
Penn researchers identified two competing visions of nonprofit news, a restorationist vision and a transformational vision, and calculated the cost of implementing each vision.
0104
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Knight First Amendment Institute @knightcolumbia.org · 20/05/2026
@victorpickard.bsky.social writes about the importance of public media and proposes the creation of locally owned and controlled multi-media hubs called “Public Media Centers” for our Reconstructing Free Expression series. knightcolumbia.org/blog/reimagi...
knightcolumbia.org
Reimagining and Reconstructing U.S. Public Media
0115
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Drawing on interviews with nonprofit news leaders in PA, @victorpickard.bsky.social @davidberman.bsky.social and Aaron Hyzen examine the role of the nonprofit news sector in addressing the journalism crisis in this article: buff.ly/y6KUYUs
022
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
If you missed @commscholar.bsky.social's book talk at @asc.upenn.edu, you can watch it online here: buff.ly/nuANNZ2 And check out the book, Content Confusion: News Media, Native Advertising, and Policy in an Era of Disinformation here: buff.ly/iDLP68g
buff.ly
News Media, Native Advertising, and Policy in an Era of Disinformation with Michelle A. Amazeen
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
013
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Victor Pickard @victorpickard.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Very excited about this new journal article with @davidberman.bsky.social and Aaron Hyzen that examines Pennsylvania's nonprofit news ecosystem and makes the distinction between journalism reforms that focus on restoration vs. transformation. Link to the PDF: victorpickard.com/wp-content/u...
An abstract of a new journal article that concludes democratic society requires public funding for local journalism at scale.
1136
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Victor Pickard @victorpickard.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
@commscholar.bsky.social gave an excellent talk @asc.upenn.edu @miccenter.bsky.social about her new book Content Confusion (video coming soon). I can’t recommend this book highly enough!
2114
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Reminder to join us tomorrow at @asc.upenn.edu for a book talk with Michelle Amazeen (@commscholar.bsky.social)!
000
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
anjali dassarma @dassarma.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
suuuuuper excited to have Lin here at @asc.upenn.edu. If you're around in philly, swing by!!
142
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Michelle Amazeen @commscholar.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
I’ll be speaking about my new book, #ContentConfusion ( @mitpress.bsky.social), at the Media, Inequality & Change Center ( @miccenter.bsky.social) at UPenn on Thu, Mar 26 at 12:00 PM. If you’re in Philly, I’d love to see you there! Details & registration: buff.ly/gN1TdYW #booksky #commsky
021
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 09/03/2026
ICE has detained yet another journalist, Estefany Rodríguez. If you're a journalist reporting on ICE and want more information about how to protect against potential retaliation against you or your sources, listen back to our event from last year with leading journalists on the immigration beat.
youtube.com
Inside the Immigration Beat: Reporting truth and protecting communities
YouTube video by Freedom of the Press Foundation
0185110
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Missed our recent book talk with @rodneybenson.bsky.social? Catch the entire presentation on media ownership and its effects on news coverage here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdN3... And check out the book How Media Ownership Matters here: buff.ly/ohm5pAH
youtube.com
How Media Ownership Matters with Rodney Benson
YouTube video by Annenberg School for Communication
010
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Please join us and @commscholar.bsky.social on 3/26 @ 12pm in ASC Room 500 to discuss her newest book Content Confusion. The book covers the practice of "native advertising" that blurs the line between journalism and ads, fueling disinformation and distrust. Register here: buff.ly/gN1TdYW
asc.upenn.edu
Content Confusion with Michelle A. Amazeen
The Media, Inequality & Change Center will be joined by Michelle A. Amazeen, Associate Dean of Research at Boston University’s College of Communication, to discuss her new book, Content Confusion: New...
010
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Register now for CAMRA's 2026 Screening Scholarship Media Festival: Portals, on 3/27 and 3/28. The theme encompasses a range of projects that explore the notion of portals across diverse media and disciplines, including panels such as AI, Algorithms, & Technological Afterlives.
camrapenn.org
SSMF 2026
CAMRA is pleased to host the 2026 Screening Scholarship Media Festival (SSMF): Portals.  This year, SSMF will explore and experiment with the idea of Portals : spiritual, virtual, historical,...
000
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Victor Pickard @victorpickard.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Outstanding talk from @rodneybenson.bsky.social at the @miccenter.bsky.social today about his ever-so-timely and important new book, “How Media Ownership Matters.” (video forthcoming.) I urge everyone who cares about the future of media and democracy to read the book!
Picture of Dr. Rodney Benson speaking about his new book.
2314
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Next Wednesday @rodneybenson.bsky.social joins us to discuss his new book How Media Ownership Matters. RSVP here: buff.ly/T4H1GhM
021
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
The polycrisis afflicting our media necessitates a political economic analysis that focuses on ownership, control, and market structure. @victorpickard.bsky.social's newest essay for @lpeproject.bsky.social examines cascading layers of "media capture" and necessary policy interventions.
lpeproject.org
The American Media Polycrisis: Cascading Layers of Capture
In countries facing democratic backsliding, attention often centers on state capture of the press. Recent U.S. media failures, however, demand a wider lens. Authoritarian encroachment here rests on…
053
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Wazhmah Osman @wazhmah.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Excited for this upcoming virtual book salon, hosted by Penn! 7 authors gather to discuss their contributions to DECOLONIZING AFGHANISTAN Feb. 19th at 3pm ET. Register here: mec.sas.upenn.edu/events/2026/... @dukepress.bsky.social @annenbergcargc.bsky.social @ascmediarisk.org @miccenter.bsky.social
043
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Join us on Wednesday, 2/25 @ 12 pm for a talk with @rodneybenson.bsky.social about his book How Media Ownership Matters, an analysis of different media ownership types and their effects on news coverage. More info: buff.ly/QhfKafR RSVP here: buff.ly/T4H1GhM
How Media Ownership Matters Book Talk with Rodney Benson, February 25, 2026, 12 - 1:15 PM, in ASC Room 500 in white text, headshot of Rodney Benson in front of a bookshelf, and QR code for registration over blue and pink paint streak background.
031
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Join us on Wednesday, 2/25 @ 12 pm for a talk with @rodneybenson.bsky.social about his book How Media Ownership Matters, an analysis of different media ownership types and their effects on news coverage. More info: buff.ly/QhfKafR RSVP here: buff.ly/T4H1GhM
How Media Ownership Matters Book Talk with Rodney Benson, February 25, 2026, 12 - 1:15 PM, in ASC Room 500 in white text, headshot of Rodney Benson in front of a bookshelf, and QR code for registration over blue and pink paint streak background.
031
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Annenberg School at Penn @asc.upenn.edu · 16/01/2026
On the latest episode of Annenberg Conversations, Annenberg Professor @victorpickard.bsky.social, co-director of the @miccenter.bsky.social, explained how the loss of local journalism affects civic knowledge, political engagement, and our democracy as news deserts become more widespread.
185
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Now accepting applications for the 2026 Milton Wolf Seminar's Emerging Scholars Program! This year's theme is "Tech Juggernauts: AI, Freedom of Expression, and Shifting Geopolitical Alliances," and scholars in related fields are encouraged to apply by February 13. Application instructions here:
asc.upenn.edu
Emerging Scholars Program
011
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 COMPASS Summer Fellowship Program, which places PhD students with DC-based communication-related institutions to gain hands-on experience in communication policy. Application letters and CVs are due no later than Jan 16, 2026. More info here:
asc.upenn.edu
About
COMPASS provides placement assistance and a weekly lecture taught by leading media policy experts for graduate students from participating universities to undertake meaningful summer fellowships in Wa...
122
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
In his recent essay for @ccc-journal.bsky.social, @victorpickard.bsky.social analyzes the capitalist logics at the root of many media-related issues and provides a framework for shifting to a less capitalist, more democratic media system. Read here: buff.ly/AYvibor
academic.oup.com
Eroding the market’s hidden hand: toward a Post-Capitalist media system
Abstract. Media-related problems facing democratic societies around the world today often stem from various kinds of market failures and structural limitat
154
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 COMPASS Summer Fellowship Program, which places PhD students with DC-based communication-related institutions to gain hands-on experience in communication policy. Application letters and CVs are due no later than Jan 16, 2026. More info here:
asc.upenn.edu
About
COMPASS provides placement assistance and a weekly lecture taught by leading media policy experts for graduate students from participating universities to undertake meaningful summer fellowships in Wa...
122
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
A new report from MIC Co-Director @victorpickard.bsky.social as well as @shahrzadshams.bsky.social and @bilalb.bsky.social maps the political economy behind today’s media crisis and asks the urgent question: What would a media system designed to strengthen democracy actually look like?
rooseveltinstitute.org
The Political Economy of the US Media System: Excavating the Roots of the Present Crisis - Roosevelt Institute
Bilal Baydoun, Shahrzad Shams, and Victor Pickard trace the roots of the US media crisis to decades of deregulation and commercial capture, outlining how consolidation, news deserts, and platform domi...
074
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Media@Risk @ascmediarisk.org · 20/11/2025
How do you center hope in your research, activism and media work? Join our annual symposium in two weeks to imagine new possibilities for media research and practice at this time of profound upheaval. Keynote: music educator, André de Quadros Register: bit.ly/beyondendurance @asc.upenn.edu
Promotional poster for the "Beyond Endurance: Reimagining Media Praxis" annual symposium, hosted by the Center for Media at Risk at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, scheduled for December 4–5. The design features a stylized vintage computer monitor with red tiles dispersing from the screen, symbolizing digital media. The poster highlights keynote speaker André de Quadros on December 4 and interactive panels with artists, journalists, and scholars on December 5. Names of participants and a registration link are included.
173
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Media@Risk @ascmediarisk.org · 13/11/2025
There is hope, and we must use it! Join us at our annual symposium next month to envision new possibilities for media research and practice at this time of profound upheaval. Register here: bit.ly/beyondendurance @asc.upenn.edu
Promotional poster for the "Beyond Endurance: Reimagining Media Praxis" annual symposium, hosted by the Center for Media at Risk at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, scheduled for December 4–5. The design features a stylized vintage computer monitor with red tiles dispersing from the screen, symbolizing digital media. The poster highlights keynote speaker André de Quadros on December 4 and interactive panels with artists, journalists, and scholars on December 5. Names of participants and a registration link are included.
1103
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Victor Pickard @victorpickard.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Was thrilled to help consult for this fantastic John Oliver segment on the tragic plight of U.S. public media and why, if we hope to be a democracy, we still need public media for so many things that commercial media will never provide. Deserves a wide viewership. www.youtube.com/watch?v=yknM...
youtube.com
Public Media: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
131035367
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Michelle Amazeen @commscholar.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
🎉 Excited to share that Content Confusion publishes today! It dives into how news orgs & advertisers—including fossil fuels—blur journalism & ads, fueling disinfo & distrust. Available now! Use code MITP30 today for 30% off at MIT Press. Thanks for the support! 🙏 mitpress.mit.edu/978026255360...
mitpress.mit.edu
Content Confusion
We often blame social media for the rampant problem of disinformation, but mainstream news media is also at fault. Not only do news outlets disguise paid con...
22413
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Attacks on press freedom are devastating newsrooms and leaving communities without reliable local news. Join @freepress.bsky.social on 11/13 for a conversation with FCC Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social about the barriers to free speech and local news NJ residents are facing. buff.ly/3njhEfG
streamyard.com
A Critical Crossroads for Free Speech and Local News
Local news and freedom of speech across the country are under threat. Due to federal funding cuts, NPR and PBS affiliates of all sizes have announced that they will need to lay off staff, reduce progr...
0107
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 21/10/2025
By changing the way gun violence is covered, reporters can take an active role in minimizing harm to injured people, communities, and society—and even make an important contribution toward preventing gun violence.
pcgvr.org
Five years of work. One concise guide. Free to view and download now. – Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting
022
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Pawel Popiel @ppopiel.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
🚨 New article out, great colab w/ @davidberman.bsky.social, assessing the primary U.S. response to the digital divide: the corporate subsidy. Using mixed methods, we show how networked "digital equity" reinforces network monopoly. @miccenter.bsky.social www.tandfonline.com/eprint/2BPFG...
ABSTRACT
This study examines the political economy, discursive legitimations, and effectiveness of the primary U.S. policy response to narrowing the digital divide: public subsidies for internet service. Using Philadelphia as our case study, we analyze municipal efforts to enroll low-income communities in low-cost commercial broadband plans supported by the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Like many other U.S. cities in the neoliberal era, Philadelphia sought to organize its digital equity initiative as a decentralized network of public agencies, commercial broadband providers, and nonprofits. Drawing on expert interviews, focus groups with ACP-eligible subscribers, and policy documents, we find that despite the city’s goal of achieving universal service, the networked initiative ultimately advanced the economic interests and market position of Comcast, the city’s monopoly broadband provider – with only minimal gains in connectivity. We argue that the evolving relationship between Comcast and the city of Philadelphia exemplifies what we refer to as the dialectic of the network. While often assumed as opposing forms of economic and social organization, the monopoly – centralized, vertically organized, hierarchical – and the network – decentralized, horizontal, leaderless – actively reinforce and legitimize one another as part of the neoliberal conquest of America’s communication infrastructure.
3112
The Media, Inequality & Change Center @miccenter.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Local news plays a vital role in helping people stay safe, healthy, and connected to their communities. @theine.bsky.social and Carlotta Verita look at how well Philly’s local news media keep residents informed about the issues that matter most in this new report: buff.ly/jJO22o8
Informing Philadelphia: Strengths and Gaps in Local Media's Coverage of Critical Information Needs
Title in white text on red backdrop next to an image of the Philadelphia skyline.
163
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Victor Pickard @victorpickard.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Talked to Jim Rutenberg at the NYT about whether there were any historical precedents in the U.S. for Trump's frontal assault on our media, especially this kind of FCC intervention focused on silencing dissent, directly violating free speech, etc. Could think of none: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/b...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Wields Its Full Toolbox to Bring Media to Heel
1122
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
If there was ever a time for bold new public infrastructure to support local news and informed communities, this is it. This is too important to miss. Join us w/ @reprabb.bsky.social @victorpickard.bsky.social @abigailhiggins.bsky.social @mikerispoli.bsky.social next week. RSVP: bit.ly/fpabbsoc9
0167
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Media@Risk @ascmediarisk.org · 20/08/2025
American journalism has serious problems. But how did we get here? @bzelizer.bsky.social’s new book 📚 How the Cold War Broke the News📚 uncovers the surprising roots of journalism’s decline and offers a plan to make it better. Pre-order now: bit.ly/4mqcr68
book cover with a red background featuring four missile silhouettes. The title "HOW THE COLD WAR BROKE THE NEWS" is displayed in white capital letters at the top. Below the title is an image of a folded newspaper. The subtitle reads "The Surprising Roots of Journalism's Decline." At the bottom, the author's name "BARBIE ZELIZER" is written in white capital letters.
01911
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
"Big media conglomerates would rather cave to the president than stand up for their constitutional rights." -- Free Press' @timkarr.bsky.social www.commondreams.org/news/trump-nbc…
063
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Annenberg School at Penn @asc.upenn.edu · 25/07/2025
Last week, the House voted to cut roughly $535 million a year in federal funding for PBS, NPR and local stations nationwide. We asked Annenberg experts to explain how this sweeping move could reshape the landscape of public broadcasting:
asc.upenn.edu
Public Media Cuts: Annenberg Answers
Experts comment on Congress’s elimination of $535 million a year in federal funding for PBS, NPR, and local stations across the country.
031
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Victor Pickard @victorpickard.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Really enjoyed this conversation about the structural media reform that we need with the wonderful Janine Jackson for @fairmediawatch.bsky.social's CounterSpin: fair.org/home/iman-ab...
fair.org
Iman Abid on the Economy of Genocide, Victor Pickard on Paramount Settlement
The UN's Albanese has long opposed Israel’s genocide of Palestinians—but what broke US warmongers was her naming corporations profiting from that genocide.
0115
Reposted by The Media, Inequality & Change Center
Sarah J. Jackson @sjjphd.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Sharing my latest pub, "News Inside: What Mainstream Journalism Can Learn From the Radical Humanism of Prison Journalism." Particularly proud b/c incarcerated/formerly incarcerated folks can teach us a lot about democracy & media. A pleasure to collaborate w/ @lizhallgren.bsky.social on this:
journals.sagepub.com
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
36124