Alex Boyd
@alexboyd.bsky.social
Toronto Star investigations. Misinformation, politics, culture.
Still in Alberta.
Signal: alexboyd.56
aboyd@thestar.ca
Still in Alberta.
Signal: alexboyd.56
aboyd@thestar.ca
Pinned
Alex Boyd
@alexboyd.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Hello new followers! I'm a Canadian reporter focused on politics and misinformation. I define this as "why our info ecosystem is so messy," and have written about an Olympic star radicalized online, a beach-pooping rumour exploited by the far right and an online scam job I once had for several days.
Reposted by Alex Boyd
The Canadian gov has "no intention" of repealing or changing the Online News Act despite U.S. pressure. Even so, officials have been talking to Meta about potentially bringing news back to its platforms, sources said.
By @lauraosman.bsky.social & @patriquin.bsky.social.
thelogic.co/news/exclusi...
By @lauraosman.bsky.social & @patriquin.bsky.social.
thelogic.co/news/exclusi...
Ottawa won’t change Online News Act, despite U.S. objections - The Logic
The government says it has no plans to amend or repeal the Online News Act which has resulted in Meta blocking news in Canada since 2023
thelogic.co
January 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM
The Canadian gov has "no intention" of repealing or changing the Online News Act despite U.S. pressure. Even so, officials have been talking to Meta about potentially bringing news back to its platforms, sources said.
By @lauraosman.bsky.social & @patriquin.bsky.social.
thelogic.co/news/exclusi...
By @lauraosman.bsky.social & @patriquin.bsky.social.
thelogic.co/news/exclusi...
It's a big loss to the journalism community but sounds like an exciting move. Best of luck!!
January 15, 2026 at 5:14 AM
It's a big loss to the journalism community but sounds like an exciting move. Best of luck!!
Reposted by Alex Boyd
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
slate.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:11 PM
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
Ha, a group of separatists near Edmonton have had to move their meeting tonight after scheduling it at… a bar whose whole deal is plaid and sports and being Canadian. Not keen on having to rebrand as the Alberta Brewhouse maybe.
January 13, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Ha, a group of separatists near Edmonton have had to move their meeting tonight after scheduling it at… a bar whose whole deal is plaid and sports and being Canadian. Not keen on having to rebrand as the Alberta Brewhouse maybe.
Reposted by Alex Boyd
really getting a lot of mileage out of that wallpaper
January 8, 2026 at 11:27 PM
really getting a lot of mileage out of that wallpaper
*Interest in misinformation remains the same, but am carting my (metaphorical) desk over to the investigations team, where I am very excited to learn from some very smart people about how to dig a little deeper.
January 7, 2026 at 11:22 PM
*Interest in misinformation remains the same, but am carting my (metaphorical) desk over to the investigations team, where I am very excited to learn from some very smart people about how to dig a little deeper.
🕵️♀️Minor job update. Send me stuff!
January 7, 2026 at 11:15 PM
🕵️♀️Minor job update. Send me stuff!
Oh wow, really? That's wild. (There goes my dream of moving to Nelson.) Yeah this idea that media is a "passion" job therefore you don't need to actually pay people needs to die. There's also of course the knock on effect of an industry where only people with rich parents can make it.
January 7, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Oh wow, really? That's wild. (There goes my dream of moving to Nelson.) Yeah this idea that media is a "passion" job therefore you don't need to actually pay people needs to die. There's also of course the knock on effect of an industry where only people with rich parents can make it.
Ohhh gotcha. Yeah I feel like Alberta is fairly similar. Back when I was doing hiring, even Calgary/Edmonton were tough as there aren't huge j schools here. Many structural factors not really helping the industry right now.
January 6, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Ohhh gotcha. Yeah I feel like Alberta is fairly similar. Back when I was doing hiring, even Calgary/Edmonton were tough as there aren't huge j schools here. Many structural factors not really helping the industry right now.
Those rates are brutal. I made more than that at my first paper job over a decade ago. (Not by much! But still.) What do you mean by it's hard to get journalists outside of BC?
January 6, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Those rates are brutal. I made more than that at my first paper job over a decade ago. (Not by much! But still.) What do you mean by it's hard to get journalists outside of BC?
Yeah same. But I know a lot of people who don't read any news and use social media primarily for niche interests and tbh if I was a comms person I have no idea how I'd penetrate that bubble.
January 6, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Yeah same. But I know a lot of people who don't read any news and use social media primarily for niche interests and tbh if I was a comms person I have no idea how I'd penetrate that bubble.
It's been very fascinating generally to see the different communication approaches from last summer to now. Even how they explain how to reduce your consumption seems different. (Reducing water use by 10 per cent vs. 3 minute shower or whatever.) Is it lessons learned? A new mayor/council?
January 6, 2026 at 9:17 PM
It's been very fascinating generally to see the different communication approaches from last summer to now. Even how they explain how to reduce your consumption seems different. (Reducing water use by 10 per cent vs. 3 minute shower or whatever.) Is it lessons learned? A new mayor/council?
Yeah and the worst part is many people still have no idea Meta doesn't allow news so they don't realize they're just getting screenshots and influencers.
January 6, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Yeah and the worst part is many people still have no idea Meta doesn't allow news so they don't realize they're just getting screenshots and influencers.
I get it, I also find it very comforting!
January 6, 2026 at 9:14 PM
I get it, I also find it very comforting!
Oh cool! Glad they're getting creative! (I feel I should emphasize that this is not a criticism of the comms teams, who I know work very hard during crises, just a comment that this seems like an increasingly challenging problem!)
January 6, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Oh cool! Glad they're getting creative! (I feel I should emphasize that this is not a criticism of the comms teams, who I know work very hard during crises, just a comment that this seems like an increasingly challenging problem!)
Yeah we have so much information available, but everything is so tailored to the individual now. Ironically, ads seem the easiest way for the real comms folks to break through the social media noise, yet we know that a huge percentage of ads are scams.
January 6, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Yeah we have so much information available, but everything is so tailored to the individual now. Ironically, ads seem the easiest way for the real comms folks to break through the social media noise, yet we know that a huge percentage of ads are scams.
Yeah that's an interesting idea.
January 6, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Yeah that's an interesting idea.
Huh that's really interesting. I have seen nothing outside of traditional news. But maybe the algo has me clocked as a traditional news consumer? I wonder who people would listen to if they had radios? CBC listening has gotten so polarized, sadly, like everything else.
January 6, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Huh that's really interesting. I have seen nothing outside of traditional news. But maybe the algo has me clocked as a traditional news consumer? I wonder who people would listen to if they had radios? CBC listening has gotten so polarized, sadly, like everything else.