American University Experts Available to Comment on Congress Hearing on Fake News & Misinformation on Social Media Platforms
What: Today, the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee and the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee are holding joint hearing on misinformation and disinformation plaguing online platforms. Big tech CEO’s, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Google’s Sundar Pichai, and Twitter’s Jack Dorsey will testify. As inaccurate information and falsehoods about COVID-19 and election fraud spread online over the last year, what role do tech companies play in elevating and regulating false information on their platforms? How will tech and internet companies be held accountable?
American University scholars are available to discuss the spread of misinformation online, social media, online extremism, and content regulation on social media platforms, and provide reactions to the hearing.
When: March 25, 2021 – Ongoing
Where: Via phone, video conferencing and email.
Experts Available:
Kurt Braddock is an Assistant Professor of Public Communication in the School of Communication. He researches groups such as Proud Boys, and QAnon ideologies to explore how their persuasive messages can influence American citizens and particularly how it contributes to the threat of violence. He also is an expert on the communication strategies used by violent extremist groups to recruit and radicalize audiences targeted by their propaganda. He also holds faculty fellow positions at the Center for Media and Social Impact (CMSI) and the Center for University Excellence’s Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL). He is the author of Weaponized Words (Cambridge University Press, 2020).
Jason Mollica is a professorial lecturer in the School of Communication, is a former radio and television anchor/reporter/producer. Prof. Mollica is available to comment and discuss topics related to media and politics, especially campaign messaging and how they are viewed and examined through social and digital media. He can also comment on political debates, current issues, and how it impacts the history of U.S. politics.
Saif Shahin is an assistant professor in the School of Communication. His research focuses on critical data studies, social media studies, and global media and politics, and is underpinned by a normative commitment to social justice. He also teaches classes on media, technology and democracy and digital media and culture. He can comment on the impacts of digital media and misinformation.
Aram Sinnreich is a professor and chair of the Communication Studies division at American University’s School of Communication. His work focuses on the intersection of culture, law, and technology, with an emphasis on subjects such as emerging media and music. His latest research explores lexical patterns can serve as lie detectors to supplement fact checkers on social media. He is the author of three books: Mashed Up (2010), The Piracy Crusade (2013), and The Essential Guide to Intellectual Property (2019). He can comment on social media and its role in spreading misinformation.
Contact: Sandra L. Rodriguez, AU Communications, at 202-486-7956 or via e-mail at SandraR@american.edu
About American University
In its 127-year history, American University has established a reputation for producing changemakers focused on the challenges of a changing world. AU has garnered recognition for global education, public service, experiential learning and politically active and diverse students, as well as academic and research expertise in a wide range of areas including the arts, sciences, humanities, business and communication, political science and policy, governance, law and diplomacy.
