How two pop culture Twitter accounts turned into the internet’s wire service

Pop Crave and similar accounts like Pop Base and Pop Tingz blend pop culture updates with political news, gaining popularity as informal, fast-paced, and accessible alternative news sources. Their rise highlights shifts in digital media consumption, driven by ... Read more younger audiences seeking quick, incidental exposure to news on social platforms.

AI hysteria is a distraction: algorithms already sow disinformation in Africa

Global elections through 2024 face threats from AI-fueled disinformation, exacerbating longstanding issues with tech platforms like TikTok and Twitter. Exploiting weak algorithms, disinformation spreads easily, polarizing societies and undermining democracy, particularly in the Global South. AI’s rapid, extractive ... Read more growth reflects existing injustices, demanding urgent regulation and accountability from tech corporations.

A tsunami of AI misinformation will shape next year’s knife-edge elections | John Naughton

The 2024 elections in the US and worldwide pose high stakes for democracy, with social media and generative AI amplifying disinformation. While tools like AI can create credible fake content at scale, efforts to counter these risks focus ... Read more on public awareness. However, tech companies remain reluctant to curb misuse, prioritizing profits.

How Facebook does (and doesn’t) shape political views - The Verge

Recent studies examined Facebook's impact on political beliefs during the 2020 U.S. election, testing algorithmic changes like removing reshared posts or using chronological feeds. Results showed limited effects on polarization or attitudes, highlighting broader media ecosystem influences. While ... Read more Meta enabled significant research access, critics noted limitations in independence and data transparency.

Facebook and Instagram start blocking news in Canada

Meta is blocking all news content on Facebook and Instagram in Canada due to the Online News Act, which requires tech companies to pay publishers for news. The blocks affect both news publishers and shared links. Meta defends ... Read more this as a compliance measure, sparking criticism from journalists and the Canadian government.

News Corp bullies to be held accountable over one-sided Voice coverage

Murdoch media’s campaign against the Voice Referendum has drawn criticism for spreading misinformation and undermining democracy. Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission, led by Dr. Victoria Fielding, is scrutinizing News Corp’s biased coverage, highlighting its detrimental impact on ... Read more Indigenous Australians, public debate, and unity, while advocating for media accountability.

AI-enhanced images a ‘threat to democratic processes’, experts warn

Experts warn of AI risks in politics after a Labour MP shared a manipulated image of Rishi Sunak. Concerns grow over AI's potential to undermine elections, prompting calls for ethical principles, regulations, and watermarking of AI-generated content to ... Read more ensure transparency and protect democratic processes ahead of key elections in 2024.

Is artificial intelligence a threat to journalism or will the technology destroy itself? | Samantha Floreani

Australia lagging in protecting teens from ‘dark rabbit holes’ on TikTok

Mental health experts are concerned about the rise in dangerous self-harming trends among adolescents, particularly on TikTok. They argue that social media algorithms promote harmful content, including self-harm and disordered eating, and that Australian authorities are not doing ... Read more enough to protect young people. While tech companies enforce safety measures, experts emphasize the need for stricter regulations and parental involvement to combat the negative impact of social media on adolescent well-being.

AI likely to spell end of traditional school classroom, leading expert says

AI advancements could transform education with personalized virtual tutors, offering global access and effectiveness comparable to one-to-one teaching. While this could reduce traditional teacher roles, social and ethical concerns persist. Risks include indoctrination, misuse by authoritarian regimes, and ... Read more uncontrollable AI behavior. Policymakers face challenges in managing these transformative technologies.