Unverified reports of vaccine side effects in VAERS aren't the smoking guns portrayed by right-wing media outlets – they can offer insight into vaccine hesitancy
Anti-vaccine activists are using the side effect reporting system to spread fear and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines. But the database could also be used as a gauge for public concerns.
Dominik Stecuła, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Colorado State University
• conversation
Aug. 25, 2021 • ~9 min
Aug. 25, 2021 • ~9 min
Far-right groups move to messaging apps as tech companies crack down on extremist social media
Encrypted messaging services like Telegram provide virtual dark corners where far-right extremists can recruit, organize and plan unhindered.
Kevin Grisham, Professor of Global Studies, California State University San Bernardino •
conversation
Jan. 22, 2021 • ~8 min
Jan. 22, 2021 • ~8 min
Does 'deplatforming' work to curb hate speech and calls for violence? 3 experts in online communications weigh in
Banning extremists from social media platforms can reduce hate speech, but the deplatforming process has to be handled with care – and it can have unintended consequences.
Ugochukwu Etudo, Assistant Professor of Operations and Information Management, University of Connecticut •
conversation
Jan. 15, 2021 • ~10 min
Jan. 15, 2021 • ~10 min
Big Tech's rejection of Parler shuts down a site favored by Trump supporters – and used by participants in the US Capitol insurrection
Millions of supporters of Donald Trump flocked to the far-right social media platform, where hate speech and calls for violence thrive. The US Capitol insurrection could be the platform's undoing.
Alex Newhouse, Research Lead, Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, Middlebury Institute of International Studies •
conversation
Jan. 12, 2021 • ~12 min
Jan. 12, 2021 • ~12 min
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