Michelle Amazeen
@commscholar.bsky.social
Associate Dean of Research, College of Communication
Associate Professor of Mass Communication,
Director, Communication Research Center,
Boston University
New book – Content Confusion: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262553605/content-confusion/
Associate Professor of Mass Communication,
Director, Communication Research Center,
Boston University
New book – Content Confusion: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262553605/content-confusion/
Pinned
Michelle Amazeen
@commscholar.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Content Confusion
We often blame social media for the rampant problem of disinformation, but mainstream news media is also at fault. Not only do news outlets disguise paid con...
mitpress.mit.edu
🎉 Excited to share that Content Confusion publishes today! It dives into how news orgs & advertisers—including fossil fuels—blur journalism & ads, fueling disinfo & distrust. Available now! Use code MITP30 today for 30% off at MIT Press. Thanks for the support! 🙏
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255360...
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255360...
Depressing but important article by @lewan.bsky.social about the state of democracy and the EU's Digital Services Act. ⬇️
Gosh, post 2/9 of the thread below had a link that required authentication, here is the direct link to the piece: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
February 10, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Depressing but important article by @lewan.bsky.social about the state of democracy and the EU's Digital Services Act. ⬇️
Apparently the broadcast of the Super Bowl halftime show was delayed by 6 minutes in the US compared to what was broadcast in Europe.
February 9, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Apparently the broadcast of the Super Bowl halftime show was delayed by 6 minutes in the US compared to what was broadcast in Europe.
Reposted by Michelle Amazeen
🚨 Will Lewis has stepped down as publisher of The Post in a Saturday memo to staff:
February 7, 2026 at 10:51 PM
🚨 Will Lewis has stepped down as publisher of The Post in a Saturday memo to staff:
Love books…No ads and no algorithms!!
February 6, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Love books…No ads and no algorithms!!
Delighted to share Lana Medina’s review of #ContentConfusion in News Research Journal. Thx to Ava Sirrah & @dougmost.bsky.social for on‑the‑record insights (& to another source off the record). Their perspectives helped shape the book. journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... ⬇️
mitpress.bsky.social
mitpress.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Delighted to share Lana Medina’s review of #ContentConfusion in News Research Journal. Thx to Ava Sirrah & @dougmost.bsky.social for on‑the‑record insights (& to another source off the record). Their perspectives helped shape the book. journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... ⬇️
mitpress.bsky.social
mitpress.bsky.social
Even the Pope wants media literacy! "...while technology offers efficiency, it cannot replace human empathy, ethics, and moral responsibility." #ContentConfusion #XC420 #MediaLiteracy www.rvasia.org/vatican-news...
Pope Leo calls for "Media and AI Literacy" to protect human dignity in the age of algorithms
In a pressing appeal to the global community, Pope Leo XIV has warned that the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence must not come at the cost of human uniqueness, urging the faithful and civil...
www.rvasia.org
January 26, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Even the Pope wants media literacy! "...while technology offers efficiency, it cannot replace human empathy, ethics, and moral responsibility." #ContentConfusion #XC420 #MediaLiteracy www.rvasia.org/vatican-news...
Join us for a screening of Good Night & Good Luck (2005)
When: Fri, Jan 23 • 2:30 PM
Where: COM B05
Stay for a post-film discussion with @comatbu.bsky.social experts.
A timely reminder of journalism’s duty to hold power to account amid political attacks and misinfo. All BU community welcome. #XC420
When: Fri, Jan 23 • 2:30 PM
Where: COM B05
Stay for a post-film discussion with @comatbu.bsky.social experts.
A timely reminder of journalism’s duty to hold power to account amid political attacks and misinfo. All BU community welcome. #XC420
January 22, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Join us for a screening of Good Night & Good Luck (2005)
When: Fri, Jan 23 • 2:30 PM
Where: COM B05
Stay for a post-film discussion with @comatbu.bsky.social experts.
A timely reminder of journalism’s duty to hold power to account amid political attacks and misinfo. All BU community welcome. #XC420
When: Fri, Jan 23 • 2:30 PM
Where: COM B05
Stay for a post-film discussion with @comatbu.bsky.social experts.
A timely reminder of journalism’s duty to hold power to account amid political attacks and misinfo. All BU community welcome. #XC420
First day teaching #XC420 "Information Literacy in an Era of Content Confusion." Looking forward to a great semester @bostonu.bsky.social!
Excited to teach "Information Literacy in an Era of Content Confusion" this spring with Rob Martinelle at @bostonu.bsky.social! Learn to spot misinformation 🔍 & create impactful media 🌟. BU undergrads, there’s still time to enroll: www.bu.edu/xcc/courses-...
#XC420 #ContentConfusion
#XC420 #ContentConfusion
January 21, 2026 at 6:54 PM
First day teaching #XC420 "Information Literacy in an Era of Content Confusion." Looking forward to a great semester @bostonu.bsky.social!
More #ContentConfusion per @oliverdarcy.bsky.social: “Whiskey Fridays with Tony Dokoupil” on CBS Evening News sponsored by Jack Daniels.
New: CBS News seems to be preparing a new segment called "Whiskey Fridays with Tony Dokoupil," per sources.
Some staff were only first made aware of it as they encountered CBS testing out set designs of a faux-stocked bar in the newsroom, featuring a large sponsor banner for Jack Daniels.
Some staff were only first made aware of it as they encountered CBS testing out set designs of a faux-stocked bar in the newsroom, featuring a large sponsor banner for Jack Daniels.
January 14, 2026 at 12:04 PM
More #ContentConfusion per @oliverdarcy.bsky.social: “Whiskey Fridays with Tony Dokoupil” on CBS Evening News sponsored by Jack Daniels.
A 🧵: The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a #climate case this week with major implications for Louisiana’s eroding coast—and for corporate accountability. But one NYT story mostly buries Chevron’s role, focusing on statutes and doctrine instead. 1/5 www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/c...
Supreme Court to Hear Case on Louisiana’s Eroding Coast
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:13 PM
A 🧵: The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a #climate case this week with major implications for Louisiana’s eroding coast—and for corporate accountability. But one NYT story mostly buries Chevron’s role, focusing on statutes and doctrine instead. 1/5 www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/c...
So fun to see my @comatbu.bsky.social colleague, Charlotte Howell, answering everyone's burning questions about #television #history for @wired.com. www.youtube.com/watch?v=g66Q...
Professor Answers Television History Questions | Tech Support | WIRED
YouTube video by WIRED
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:34 PM
So fun to see my @comatbu.bsky.social colleague, Charlotte Howell, answering everyone's burning questions about #television #history for @wired.com. www.youtube.com/watch?v=g66Q...
Troubled by the NYT’s Tengiz piece — it reads like a Chevron promo with little scrutiny of environmental, social, or fiscal impacts. Missing: independent scientists, community voices, labor reps, human-rights groups, and economic accountability. 1/2 #ContentConfusion
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/b...
How Chevron Aims to Tap More Oil Below Kazakhstan’s Grassy Plains
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Troubled by the NYT’s Tengiz piece — it reads like a Chevron promo with little scrutiny of environmental, social, or fiscal impacts. Missing: independent scientists, community voices, labor reps, human-rights groups, and economic accountability. 1/2 #ContentConfusion
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/b...
Excited to teach "Information Literacy in an Era of Content Confusion" this spring with Rob Martinelle at @bostonu.bsky.social! Learn to spot misinformation 🔍 & create impactful media 🌟. BU undergrads, there’s still time to enroll: www.bu.edu/xcc/courses-...
#XC420 #ContentConfusion
#XC420 #ContentConfusion
January 3, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Excited to teach "Information Literacy in an Era of Content Confusion" this spring with Rob Martinelle at @bostonu.bsky.social! Learn to spot misinformation 🔍 & create impactful media 🌟. BU undergrads, there’s still time to enroll: www.bu.edu/xcc/courses-...
#XC420 #ContentConfusion
#XC420 #ContentConfusion
Visited my 90-year-old mom yesterday and The Jennifer Hudson Show was on TV. Shocked by how much was a sales pitch—with a "shop now" QR code! “Just like in your book,” my mom said. Yes, unfortunately. #ContentConfusion
January 2, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Visited my 90-year-old mom yesterday and The Jennifer Hudson Show was on TV. Shocked by how much was a sales pitch—with a "shop now" QR code! “Just like in your book,” my mom said. Yes, unfortunately. #ContentConfusion
Jill Abramson, ex-NYT editor, said, “I was fired... let’s be honest!” for opposing blurring editorial & ads. In a recent conversation at @bu-igs.bsky.social, we discussed how native ads pollute info & mislead on climate. Learn more:
www.bu.edu/igs/2025/12/...
#MediaIntegrity #ContentConfusion
www.bu.edu/igs/2025/12/...
#MediaIntegrity #ContentConfusion
December 15, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Jill Abramson, ex-NYT editor, said, “I was fired... let’s be honest!” for opposing blurring editorial & ads. In a recent conversation at @bu-igs.bsky.social, we discussed how native ads pollute info & mislead on climate. Learn more:
www.bu.edu/igs/2025/12/...
#MediaIntegrity #ContentConfusion
www.bu.edu/igs/2025/12/...
#MediaIntegrity #ContentConfusion
Reposted by Michelle Amazeen
In her new book, Brookline author Michelle Amazeen takes on an increasingly common form of misleading marketing filling the pages of some news outlets: Native advertising, also sometimes called sponsored content.
brookline.news/in-new-book-...
brookline.news/in-new-book-...
In new book, a Brookline author and professor calls out ads disguised as news - Brookline.News
Brookline author Michelle Amazeen turns a critical eye in her new book to an increasingly common form of advertising that resembles news articles and can confuse readers.
brookline.news
December 8, 2025 at 2:03 PM
In her new book, Brookline author Michelle Amazeen takes on an increasingly common form of misleading marketing filling the pages of some news outlets: Native advertising, also sometimes called sponsored content.
brookline.news/in-new-book-...
brookline.news/in-new-book-...
Reposted by Michelle Amazeen
Amazing opportunity ⬇️⬇️
Hey all,
The Onion is accepting applicants for our writing, video and graphics fellowships.
Fellowships last six months, pay well, and provide full benefits.
You can apply at theonion.com/fellowship.
The Onion is accepting applicants for our writing, video and graphics fellowships.
Fellowships last six months, pay well, and provide full benefits.
You can apply at theonion.com/fellowship.
Fellowship
theonion.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Amazing opportunity ⬇️⬇️
Very excited to talk to Jill Abramson about my new book, Content Confusion, this Thursday at noon! If you are in the Boston area and would like to attend, details are below...⬇️
📚 Happening Thursday! There are still tickets available for IGS’s Fall Book Talk with Michelle Amazeen @commscholar.bsky.social, who will be discussing her new book “Content Confusion” on the deceptive practice of native advertising. RSVP now ⬇️
A Conversation & Lunch with Expert & Author Michelle Amazeen
"Content Confusion" reveals how fossil fuel advertisers and news outlets blur the line between journalism and ads.
spr.ly
December 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Very excited to talk to Jill Abramson about my new book, Content Confusion, this Thursday at noon! If you are in the Boston area and would like to attend, details are below...⬇️
Looking forward to talking with Jill Abramson about my new book this Thursday, December 4th!
📚 Happening Thursday! There are still tickets available for IGS’s Fall Book Talk with Michelle Amazeen @commscholar.bsky.social, who will be discussing her new book “Content Confusion” on the deceptive practice of native advertising. RSVP now ⬇️
A Conversation & Lunch with Expert & Author Michelle Amazeen
"Content Confusion" reveals how fossil fuel advertisers and news outlets blur the line between journalism and ads.
spr.ly
December 1, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Looking forward to talking with Jill Abramson about my new book this Thursday, December 4th!
Reposted by Michelle Amazeen
News outlets often claim there are strict barriers between their editorial & advertising teams. But "that proverbial wall is much more porous than outlets let on," says Michelle Amazeen.
@emdashsanders.bsky.social interviewed @commscholar.bsky.social about her book "Content Confusion":
@emdashsanders.bsky.social interviewed @commscholar.bsky.social about her book "Content Confusion":
These ads are poisoning trust in media
‘Native advertising' allows fossil fuel companies to disguise their ads in news outlets. A new book argues the practice undermines journalistic credibility.
www.exxonknews.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
News outlets often claim there are strict barriers between their editorial & advertising teams. But "that proverbial wall is much more porous than outlets let on," says Michelle Amazeen.
@emdashsanders.bsky.social interviewed @commscholar.bsky.social about her book "Content Confusion":
@emdashsanders.bsky.social interviewed @commscholar.bsky.social about her book "Content Confusion":
Reposted by Michelle Amazeen
Big Oil is using native advertising to "disguise their ads in news outlets" and promote "controversial technologies like carbon capture as climate solutions, portray fossil fuel companies as climate-friendly, or misrepresent their role in the energy transition" finds author @commscholar.bsky.social.
These ads are poisoning trust in media
‘Native advertising' allows fossil fuel companies to disguise their ads in news outlets. A new book argues the practice undermines journalistic credibility.
www.exxonknews.org
November 22, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Big Oil is using native advertising to "disguise their ads in news outlets" and promote "controversial technologies like carbon capture as climate solutions, portray fossil fuel companies as climate-friendly, or misrepresent their role in the energy transition" finds author @commscholar.bsky.social.
Honored to see my book, Content Confusion, recognized by @emdashsanders.bsky.social for shedding light on how native ads blur the line between ads and journalism, especially in fossil fuel coverage. Grateful to contribute to this vital conversation on corporate influence and media integrity. 🙏
An important new book from @commscholar.bsky.social looks at native advertising, a practice allowing fossil fuel companies to disguise their ads as journalism in mainstream outlets.
It adds a hugely overlooked piece to the convo about corporate influence in media www.exxonknews.org/p/these-ads-...
It adds a hugely overlooked piece to the convo about corporate influence in media www.exxonknews.org/p/these-ads-...
These ads are poisoning trust in media
‘Native advertising' allows fossil fuel companies to disguise their ads in news outlets. A new book argues the practice undermines journalistic credibility.
www.exxonknews.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Honored to see my book, Content Confusion, recognized by @emdashsanders.bsky.social for shedding light on how native ads blur the line between ads and journalism, especially in fossil fuel coverage. Grateful to contribute to this vital conversation on corporate influence and media integrity. 🙏
🎉 Excited to share that Content Confusion publishes today! It dives into how news orgs & advertisers—including fossil fuels—blur journalism & ads, fueling disinfo & distrust. Available now! Use code MITP30 today for 30% off at MIT Press. Thanks for the support! 🙏
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255360...
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255360...
Content Confusion
We often blame social media for the rampant problem of disinformation, but mainstream news media is also at fault. Not only do news outlets disguise paid con...
mitpress.mit.edu
November 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM
🎉 Excited to share that Content Confusion publishes today! It dives into how news orgs & advertisers—including fossil fuels—blur journalism & ads, fueling disinfo & distrust. Available now! Use code MITP30 today for 30% off at MIT Press. Thanks for the support! 🙏
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255360...
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255360...
The NYT reports most corporations skipped #COP30. Our @comatbu.bsky.social @bucomresearch.bsky.social Media & Tech Survey finds Americans noticed — confidence in big companies tackling climate change dropped a lot over 3 years. Read more here: www.bu.edu/com/articles...
#ClimateAction #PublicOpinion
#ClimateAction #PublicOpinion
November 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The NYT reports most corporations skipped #COP30. Our @comatbu.bsky.social @bucomresearch.bsky.social Media & Tech Survey finds Americans noticed — confidence in big companies tackling climate change dropped a lot over 3 years. Read more here: www.bu.edu/com/articles...
#ClimateAction #PublicOpinion
#ClimateAction #PublicOpinion
Reposted by Michelle Amazeen
Major media outlets are increasingly blurring the line between ads and editorial content. In her forthcoming book "Content Confusion," Michelle Amazeen "takes the media to task for allowing this fox into the hen house" — via @thenation.com: @commscholar.bsky.social
The Media Is Complicit in the Climate Confusion
The vast majority of people want their governments to take climate action—but most wrongly think they’re in the minority. The media is partly to blame.
www.thenation.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Major media outlets are increasingly blurring the line between ads and editorial content. In her forthcoming book "Content Confusion," Michelle Amazeen "takes the media to task for allowing this fox into the hen house" — via @thenation.com: @commscholar.bsky.social