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Taylor Owen on How Disinformation is Threatening Canada's Democracy

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:30:46 +0000

March 6, 2025 | Taylor Owen explains Justice Marie-Josée Hogue’s public inquiry into foreign interference that has identified disinformation as the most pressing danger to Canada’s democratic institutions. But what led to the creation of the Foreign Interference Commission in the first place? And how does social media platforms influence Canada’s information landscape and its sovereignty?

How disinformation, fake news and foreign interference threaten Canadian election | Montreal Gazette

admin — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:26:49 +0000

March 31, 2025 | Aengus Bridgman, director of the Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO), spoke with The Gazette about the threats of fake news, deepfakes and foreign interference infiltrating your social media feed have never been higher. He cites an evolving geopolitical landscape, a reduction of safeguards by the main social media platforms and the advent of generative AI as game changers in the lead-up to election day on April 28.

Aengus Bridgman on Canada’s Online News Ban and the Rise of Partisan Disinformation | The New York Times

admin — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 18:49:09 +0000

April 21, 2025 | In an interview with The New York Times, Aengus Bridgman warns that Meta’s 2023 news ban on Facebook and Instagram in Canada has left the country’s online media environment vulnerable to disinformation and polarization ahead of the federal election. With mainstream news blocked, hyperpartisan pages like Canada Proud have surged in popularity, spreading misleading content and amplifying political division.

Pearl Eliadis on the Role of Human Rights Commissions in Post-Genocide Rwanda | Global Justice Journal

admin — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:12:08 +0000

June 2025 | Pearl Eliadis recently authored a journal article published in the Global Justice Journal by Queen’s University Faculty of Law comparing the post-genocide roles of Rwanda’s National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), both established under the 1993 Arusha Accords but with markedly different approaches. The NURC was closely controlled by the government and focused on promoting national unity through civic education and social programs.

Vincent Rigby on the Challenges Ahead for the Canada-EU Defence Pact | Expert Group on Canada-US Relations

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:45:02 +0000

June 2025 | Vincent Rigby, alongside other senior experts, co-authored a white paper analyzing the Canada-EU Security and Defence Partnership. While the agreement aims to reduce reliance on U.S. defence suppliers and expand access to the European market, the report warns that its success is far from guaranteed. Rigby and his co-authors highlight major fiscal and political barriers, including Canada’s underinvestment in defence, EU divisions over spending targets, and implementation hurdles in aligning procurement and supply chains.

Taylor Owen on Eroding Journalism & Disinformation During an Election | CBC News

admin — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:38:11 +0000

March 24, 2025 | With trust in journalism eroding, disinformation once fringe is now mainstream. Much of it is spreading on social media. Professor Taylor Owen says the online media environment in Canada is more fragile and vulnerable to manipulation than ever before. A dangerous situation at the best of times even more so during an election.

Taylor Owen on Combating Election Interference and Reimagining Canada’s Digital Policy | The Paul Wells Show

admin — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:31:47 +0000

April 16, 2025 | In an interview on The Paul Wells Show, Taylor Owen, founding director of the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy at �Ŀ;��, raised urgent concerns about online election interference in Canada. Drawing from his work with the Media Ecosystem Observatory, Owen explains how foreign and domestic actors attempt to sway public opinion through misinformation and platform manipulation. He emphasizes that while online interference is not always overt, its cumulative effect undermines democratic processes.

Jennifer Welsh on Keeping Internally Displaced People on the Humanitarian Agenda | The Conversation

admin — Mon, 26 May 2025 22:05:06 +0000

May 20, 2025 | In a co-authored article for The Conversation, with �Ŀ;�� professor Megan Bradley, Max Bell School Director Jennifer Welsh outlines the growing risk that internally displaced people (IDPs) will be overlooked as global humanitarian aid budgets shrink. Despite outnumbering refugees, IDPs often receive less attention and support—an imbalance Welsh argues must urgently be addressed. Although IDPs outnumber refugees nearly two to one, they often receive less attention and support, especially as the UN system reels from severe funding cuts.

Taylor Owen on Gander, a Canadian Social Media App | 1075koolfm

admin — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:44:10 +0000

June 25, 2025 | Professor Taylor Owen, founding director of The Center for Media, Technology and Democracy has come together with other advisors to build an application, called Gander. It’s a social media platform that lets you post videos, write updates, and tailor your feed to what you actually want to see — minus the trolls, conspiracy theories, and the “why is this even in my feed?” content.

Jennifer Welsh on Canada’s Role in Filling the Global Leadership Void | The Red Passport Podcast

admin — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:42:10 +0000

July 31, 2025 | On The Red Passport Podcast, Jennifer Welsh joins Louise Blais, Jeremy Kinsman, and Peter Donolo to discuss the consequences of the United States abandoning its traditional role in global leadership. Together, they reflect on what this shift means for today’s major international challenges — and how countries like Canada can help fill the gap.

Chris Ragan on Carbon Tax | The Globe and Mail

admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 16:31:59 +0000

March 18, 2025 | Chris Ragan spoke on how removing carbon tax would be detrimental for Canada, in an interview published by The Globe and Mail. “The consumer carbon tax is not working, it’s become too divisive.” Mr. Mark Carney said on social media. Which is why the carbon tax has been canned. Mr.

Aengus Bridgman on Combating Information Manipulation in Social Media During Elections | CBC

admin — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 17:44:30 +0000

April 9, 2025 | Aengus Bridgman from the Media Ecosystem Observatory was interviewed by CBC’s Farah Nasser, where he highlighted the dangers of unregulated social media during elections. With a vast, active audience and minimal oversight, social media platforms have become prime spaces for information manipulation. Bridgman discusses how misinformation spreads on these platforms and shares key insights on what to look out for in social media feeds as the election approaches.

Norman Hillmer on Trump’s 51st-state threats | Toronto Life

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 15:21:49 +0000

March 11, 2025 | Norman Hillmer, a Slater Family Visiting Scholar interviewed by Toronto Life, spoke on Trump’s 51st-state threats. "As a historian of the Canadian–American relationship, I have spent decades studying a dynamic that has been not perfect but largely dependable: two countries, deeply interconnected, running in parallel," said Norman. He further spoke about Trump's administration, defense spending, and "the 51st State."

Jennifer Welsh on Israel-Iran Tensions and What’s at Stake at the G7 Summit | CBC Radio

admin — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:48:10 +0000

June 15, 2025 | Jennifer Welsh joined CBC Radio’s The Sunday Magazine with Piya Chattopadhyay to analyze how rising tensions between Israel and Iran are shaping the global security landscape—just as G7 leaders gather in Alberta. Speaking alongside former Canadian ambassador Arif Lalani, Welsh described Israel’s latest military strikes as unusually ambitious in scale and timing.

Isabella Coronado Doria MPP '25 on Canada’s Need for Stronger Online Safety Laws | Policy Magazine

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:16:18 +0000

July 20, 2025 | MPP 25 Isabella Coronado Doria wrote an opinion piece for Policy Magazine addressing the urgent need for stronger regulation of digital platforms to protect children’s mental health and safety. The article highlights the tragic story of Sewell Setzer, a 14-year-old who developed a harmful virtual relationship with a chatbot, leading to his suicide and a lawsuit against the platform for inadequate safety measures.