Andrea Hickerson
@aehickerson.bsky.social
Dean, School of Journalism and New Media. Co-Director, National Center for Narrative Intelligence. Deepfakes and advocacy for journalism. Reader. Runner.
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
When @wired.com made FOIA-based stories free, subscriptions went up.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
Wired and 404 Media make FOIA reporting free. Other news outlets should too
We spoke to Katie Drummond of Wired, Joseph Cox of 404 Media, and Lauren Harper of Freedom of the Press Foundation about the case for unpaywalling public records-based reporting
freedom.press
October 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
When @wired.com made FOIA-based stories free, subscriptions went up.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
More testing of LLMs for journalism, this time on identifying image location, date, and source.
By @aisvarya17.bsky.social and @klaudia.bsky.social with some of my own commentary.
www.cjr.org/tow_center/w... @columjournreview.bsky.social
By @aisvarya17.bsky.social and @klaudia.bsky.social with some of my own commentary.
www.cjr.org/tow_center/w... @columjournreview.bsky.social
August 28, 2025 at 9:17 AM
More testing of LLMs for journalism, this time on identifying image location, date, and source.
By @aisvarya17.bsky.social and @klaudia.bsky.social with some of my own commentary.
www.cjr.org/tow_center/w... @columjournreview.bsky.social
By @aisvarya17.bsky.social and @klaudia.bsky.social with some of my own commentary.
www.cjr.org/tow_center/w... @columjournreview.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
Jordan Center Statement on Bluesky Cutting Off Mississippi newsguy.substack.com/p/jordan-cen...
Jordan Center Statement on Bluesky Cutting Off Mississippi
An important social media platform is blocking access in the state of Mississippi following enactment of a new state law mandating age-verification for users.
newsguy.substack.com
August 25, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Jordan Center Statement on Bluesky Cutting Off Mississippi newsguy.substack.com/p/jordan-cen...
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
New: I teamed up with @elenashao.bsky.social
and nytgraphics to map more than 100 public TV and radio stations that are at risk of closing as a result of tonight's vote:
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
This is a time bomb that will go off in the fall, when the last federal grants run out.
and nytgraphics to map more than 100 public TV and radio stations that are at risk of closing as a result of tonight's vote:
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
This is a time bomb that will go off in the fall, when the last federal grants run out.
Where Congress’s Cuts Threaten Access to PBS and NPR
The loss of federal funding threatens scores of public TV and radio stations across the United States.
www.nytimes.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:29 AM
New: I teamed up with @elenashao.bsky.social
and nytgraphics to map more than 100 public TV and radio stations that are at risk of closing as a result of tonight's vote:
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
This is a time bomb that will go off in the fall, when the last federal grants run out.
and nytgraphics to map more than 100 public TV and radio stations that are at risk of closing as a result of tonight's vote:
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
This is a time bomb that will go off in the fall, when the last federal grants run out.
Welcome Steve Herman to the Univ. of Mississippi!
"We're talking about issues of constitutional matters and democracy," he said. "That requires an all-hands-on-deck approach.
olemiss.edu/news/2025/5/...
"We're talking about issues of constitutional matters and democracy," he said. "That requires an all-hands-on-deck approach.
olemiss.edu/news/2025/5/...
Ole Miss Hires Veteran International Journalist to Lead Jordan Center | Ole Miss
olemiss.edu
May 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Welcome Steve Herman to the Univ. of Mississippi!
"We're talking about issues of constitutional matters and democracy," he said. "That requires an all-hands-on-deck approach.
olemiss.edu/news/2025/5/...
"We're talking about issues of constitutional matters and democracy," he said. "That requires an all-hands-on-deck approach.
olemiss.edu/news/2025/5/...
A journalism bright spot: We are hosting over 500 student journalists from the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association on campus today.
March 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
A journalism bright spot: We are hosting over 500 student journalists from the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association on campus today.
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
WIRED tested the popular AI video generator from OpenAI and found that it amplifies sexist stereotypes and ableist tropes, perpetuating the same biases already present in AI image tools.
OpenAI’s Sora Is Plagued by Sexist, Racist, and Ableist Biases
WIRED tested the popular AI video generator from OpenAI and found that it amplifies sexist stereotypes and ableist tropes, perpetuating the same biases already present in AI image tools.
wrd.cm
March 23, 2025 at 10:09 AM
WIRED tested the popular AI video generator from OpenAI and found that it amplifies sexist stereotypes and ableist tropes, perpetuating the same biases already present in AI image tools.
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
We 💙 links!
Starting this week, we've made it even easier for newsrooms and more to track how much traffic Bluesky is sending to their sites.
For those setting up analytics, Bluesky's referrer is go.bsky.app.
Starting this week, we've made it even easier for newsrooms and more to track how much traffic Bluesky is sending to their sites.
For those setting up analytics, Bluesky's referrer is go.bsky.app.
March 20, 2025 at 8:57 PM
We 💙 links!
Starting this week, we've made it even easier for newsrooms and more to track how much traffic Bluesky is sending to their sites.
For those setting up analytics, Bluesky's referrer is go.bsky.app.
Starting this week, we've made it even easier for newsrooms and more to track how much traffic Bluesky is sending to their sites.
For those setting up analytics, Bluesky's referrer is go.bsky.app.
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
After identifying major flaws in popular AI models, researchers are pushing for a new system to identify and report bugs.
Researchers Propose a Better Way to Report Dangerous AI Flaws
After identifying major flaws in popular AI models, researchers are pushing for a new system to identify and report bugs.
wrd.cm
March 13, 2025 at 3:03 PM
After identifying major flaws in popular AI models, researchers are pushing for a new system to identify and report bugs.
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
A study of eight AI search engines found they provided incorrect citations of news articles in 60%+ of queries; Grok 3 answered 94% of the queries incorrectly (Columbia Journalism Review)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
March 11, 2025 at 2:20 AM
A study of eight AI search engines found they provided incorrect citations of news articles in 60%+ of queries; Grok 3 answered 94% of the queries incorrectly (Columbia Journalism Review)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Whew! We have a full draft of our deepfakes and journalism handbook!
March 9, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Whew! We have a full draft of our deepfakes and journalism handbook!
Want to advocate for journalism? The newly established Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation at the University of Mississippi seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to champion the future of journalism in society and oversee the Center’s initiatives. olemiss.edu/departments/...
About the Center | Ole Miss
olemiss.edu
February 27, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Want to advocate for journalism? The newly established Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation at the University of Mississippi seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to champion the future of journalism in society and oversee the Center’s initiatives. olemiss.edu/departments/...
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
📖 AI-generated newsletters are flooding small-town America, raising questions about misinformation, transparency, and local journalism.
Check out Rodney Gibbs' (@rodneygibbs.com) (Executive ‘23, AI Journalism Lab ‘24) insights + more in @niemanlab.org.
Read more ↓
www.niemanlab.org/2025/01/insi...
Check out Rodney Gibbs' (@rodneygibbs.com) (Executive ‘23, AI Journalism Lab ‘24) insights + more in @niemanlab.org.
Read more ↓
www.niemanlab.org/2025/01/insi...
Inside a network of AI-generated newsletters targeting “small town America”
Good Daily, which operates in 47 states and 355 towns and cities across the U.S., is run by one person.
www.niemanlab.org
February 14, 2025 at 10:44 PM
📖 AI-generated newsletters are flooding small-town America, raising questions about misinformation, transparency, and local journalism.
Check out Rodney Gibbs' (@rodneygibbs.com) (Executive ‘23, AI Journalism Lab ‘24) insights + more in @niemanlab.org.
Read more ↓
www.niemanlab.org/2025/01/insi...
Check out Rodney Gibbs' (@rodneygibbs.com) (Executive ‘23, AI Journalism Lab ‘24) insights + more in @niemanlab.org.
Read more ↓
www.niemanlab.org/2025/01/insi...
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
Researchers Ryan McGrady, Ethan Zuckerman, and Kevin Zheng argue that if we want responsible policy about social media, it begins with making it possible for American researchers to answer fundamental questions about how social media is shaping our public discourse.
AI Companies Threaten Independent Social Media Research | TechPolicy.Press
UMass Amherst researchers argue that researcher access to social media data should be one of the rare things all political factions in the US can agree on.
www.techpolicy.press
January 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Researchers Ryan McGrady, Ethan Zuckerman, and Kevin Zheng argue that if we want responsible policy about social media, it begins with making it possible for American researchers to answer fundamental questions about how social media is shaping our public discourse.
Good thing I hadn’t finished my chapter on deepfakes and fact-checking…
January 7, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Good thing I hadn’t finished my chapter on deepfakes and fact-checking…
Re-reading Susan Sontag’s “On Photography” before the holidays really has me rethinking the photos I’m taking.
December 25, 2024 at 10:58 PM
Re-reading Susan Sontag’s “On Photography” before the holidays really has me rethinking the photos I’m taking.
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
2 Kurdish journalists killed in suspected Turkish drone attack in northern Syria cpj.org?p=440906 via @CPJMENA
2 Kurdish journalists killed in suspected Turkish drone attack in northern Syria - Committee to Protect Journalists
Sulaymaniyah, December 20, 2024 —The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the killing of journalists Jihan Belkin and Nazim Dashdan in northern Syria in a suspected Turkish drone attack on t...
cpj.org
December 25, 2024 at 4:03 AM
2 Kurdish journalists killed in suspected Turkish drone attack in northern Syria cpj.org?p=440906 via @CPJMENA
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
Another AI used to deny people public benefits: An AI system used by the UK government to "detect welfare fraud" is showing bias according to people’s age, disability, marital status and nationality. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
Revealed: bias found in AI system used to detect UK benefits fraud
Exclusive: Age, disability, marital status and nationality influence decisions to investigate claims, prompting fears of ‘hurt first, fix later’ approach
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Another AI used to deny people public benefits: An AI system used by the UK government to "detect welfare fraud" is showing bias according to people’s age, disability, marital status and nationality. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
Still giddy about my call with Ja Morant. My friend found a recording of his side of the call: www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7q4...
Ja hopped on a sales call with a fan for season tickets 🤣 #NBA #Funny #jamorant #basketball
YouTube video by Red TV
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2024 at 12:18 AM
Still giddy about my call with Ja Morant. My friend found a recording of his side of the call: www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7q4...
Here I am, grinding through a Friday and JA MORANT called me! That is a serious follow-up call about a basic ticket package. Go Grizzlies! (And of course I was dumbstruck and said almost nothing...)
November 22, 2024 at 7:38 PM
Here I am, grinding through a Friday and JA MORANT called me! That is a serious follow-up call about a basic ticket package. Go Grizzlies! (And of course I was dumbstruck and said almost nothing...)
Excited to share some early data from this project with the Institute for Data Science and the National Center for Population Studies at UM’s GIS day!
November 20, 2024 at 7:12 PM
Excited to share some early data from this project with the Institute for Data Science and the National Center for Population Studies at UM’s GIS day!
Ole Miss bringing the hype video genre to research! Super fun to play a small part. (My son is mortified 😂) vimeo.com/879962684
November 17, 2023 at 3:08 AM
Ole Miss bringing the hype video genre to research! Super fun to play a small part. (My son is mortified 😂) vimeo.com/879962684
Gripping program on Uvalde at Ole Miss tonight. Harrowing to hear the details again.
October 27, 2023 at 2:10 AM
Gripping program on Uvalde at Ole Miss tonight. Harrowing to hear the details again.
Visited the Tupelo Kiwanas club today and they had fantastic questions and examples involving AI! A judge found a lawyer with false citations and fined the lawyer $10k. Another man said his wife was a ghostwriter for a blind man. The man tried AI to help him write and went back to the writer.
October 14, 2023 at 12:43 AM
Visited the Tupelo Kiwanas club today and they had fantastic questions and examples involving AI! A judge found a lawyer with false citations and fined the lawyer $10k. Another man said his wife was a ghostwriter for a blind man. The man tried AI to help him write and went back to the writer.
Reposted by Andrea Hickerson
TikTok accounts are using AI-generated voices to spread false information. Here's how audio fakes have rapidly become a new weapon on the online misinformation battlefield, threatening to turbocharge political disinformation ahead of the 2024 election.
‘A.I. Obama’ and Fake Newscasters: How A.I. Audio Is Swarming TikTok
TikTok accounts are spreading falsehoods with the help from A.I.-generated voices.
www.nytimes.com
October 12, 2023 at 11:29 PM
TikTok accounts are using AI-generated voices to spread false information. Here's how audio fakes have rapidly become a new weapon on the online misinformation battlefield, threatening to turbocharge political disinformation ahead of the 2024 election.