Media Ecosystem Observatory
@meo-cdmrn.bsky.social
The Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO) and the Canadian Digital Media Research Network (CDMRN)
Almost 1 in 2 Americans AND Canadians report avoiding political participation (i.e. posting online, attending protests, putting up lawn signs) due to fears of political violence. 1 in 5 Canadians report not wanting to be a public figure because of this!
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Almost 1 in 2 Americans AND Canadians report avoiding political participation (i.e. posting online, attending protests, putting up lawn signs) due to fears of political violence. 1 in 5 Canadians report not wanting to be a public figure because of this!
Younger Canadians are starting to think political violence is necessary for social change. We found that for Younger Canadians aged 18-25, 1 in 3 agree that violence can be necessary.
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Younger Canadians are starting to think political violence is necessary for social change. We found that for Younger Canadians aged 18-25, 1 in 3 agree that violence can be necessary.
Pessimism by partisanship was inverse. In the U.S., Democrats are more likely to think things are getting worse but in Canada, it’s Conservatives who feel this way; about half think that things are headed the wrong way.
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Pessimism by partisanship was inverse. In the U.S., Democrats are more likely to think things are getting worse but in Canada, it’s Conservatives who feel this way; about half think that things are headed the wrong way.
Pessimism is higher for the US. When we asked if political violence will get worse, Canadians were split; approximately 2 in 3 think violence in the U.S. will get worse, while approximately 1 in 3 say the same for Canada.
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Pessimism is higher for the US. When we asked if political violence will get worse, Canadians were split; approximately 2 in 3 think violence in the U.S. will get worse, while approximately 1 in 3 say the same for Canada.
We found that both Canadians and Americans think the shooting represents a broader societal problem, though people are more concerned about political violence in the U.S. than in Canada.
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
We found that both Canadians and Americans think the shooting represents a broader societal problem, though people are more concerned about political violence in the U.S. than in Canada.
Younger Canadians lead this shift: 64% of Canadians aged 18–34 engage with political influencers. “In 2025, Canadians online are (far) more likely to see a political opinion from an influencer than from a politician.”
November 13, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Younger Canadians lead this shift: 64% of Canadians aged 18–34 engage with political influencers. “In 2025, Canadians online are (far) more likely to see a political opinion from an influencer than from a politician.”
We found that influencers now drive over 1/2 of political content and nearly 2/3 of all online engagement in Canada. They're not just lifestyle or entertainment figures anymore, with many actively shaping public debate, framing key political events, and mobilizing audiences.
November 13, 2025 at 8:38 PM
We found that influencers now drive over 1/2 of political content and nearly 2/3 of all online engagement in Canada. They're not just lifestyle or entertainment figures anymore, with many actively shaping public debate, framing key political events, and mobilizing audiences.
The Canadian conversation mirrored the U.S., but attention was limited. Even though Canada's info ecosystem is highly susceptible to American politics, its distinct media structures and actor dynamics can help moderate the intensity and persistence of polarized online debates.
November 11, 2025 at 9:54 PM
The Canadian conversation mirrored the U.S., but attention was limited. Even though Canada's info ecosystem is highly susceptible to American politics, its distinct media structures and actor dynamics can help moderate the intensity and persistence of polarized online debates.
Authors @zeytinhanim.bsky.social and Esli Chan observed clear topic segregation between news outlets, influencers, and politicians in Canada. News outlets provided key updates, influencers guided commentary, and politicians engaged when it fit official narratives.
November 11, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Authors @zeytinhanim.bsky.social and Esli Chan observed clear topic segregation between news outlets, influencers, and politicians in Canada. News outlets provided key updates, influencers guided commentary, and politicians engaged when it fit official narratives.
Our team identified 4 distinct and overlapping phases of public discourse following the Kirk assassination:
1. Initial framing & shock
2. Partisan polarization
3. External narrative dominance
4. Sustained narrative contestation
1. Initial framing & shock
2. Partisan polarization
3. External narrative dominance
4. Sustained narrative contestation
November 11, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Our team identified 4 distinct and overlapping phases of public discourse following the Kirk assassination:
1. Initial framing & shock
2. Partisan polarization
3. External narrative dominance
4. Sustained narrative contestation
1. Initial framing & shock
2. Partisan polarization
3. External narrative dominance
4. Sustained narrative contestation
After the initial shock from the Charlie Kirk shooting, conspiratorial and partisan narratives had a short lifespan on X. This demonstrates how outrage-based narratives can emerge and fade just as quickly.
November 11, 2025 at 9:54 PM
After the initial shock from the Charlie Kirk shooting, conspiratorial and partisan narratives had a short lifespan on X. This demonstrates how outrage-based narratives can emerge and fade just as quickly.
78% of Canadians are worried about harmful information circulating during crises such as wildfires and floods.
November 5, 2025 at 6:22 PM
78% of Canadians are worried about harmful information circulating during crises such as wildfires and floods.
78% of Canadians express concern about online disinformation related to climate change, while 88% report concern about public health disinformation.
November 5, 2025 at 6:22 PM
78% of Canadians express concern about online disinformation related to climate change, while 88% report concern about public health disinformation.
86% of Canadians believe that during extreme weather events governments should require social media platforms to ensure the accuracy of information and prevent the promotion of disinformation.
November 5, 2025 at 6:22 PM
86% of Canadians believe that during extreme weather events governments should require social media platforms to ensure the accuracy of information and prevent the promotion of disinformation.
🚨Our 2025 Federal Election report is here and it should serve as a warning for Canada to act now to protect future elections.
Canada’s 2025 federal election upheld its integrity, but exposed a digital ecosystem under mounting strain.
Read on to learn about our key findings 🧵
Canada’s 2025 federal election upheld its integrity, but exposed a digital ecosystem under mounting strain.
Read on to learn about our key findings 🧵
October 9, 2025 at 8:25 PM
🚨Our 2025 Federal Election report is here and it should serve as a warning for Canada to act now to protect future elections.
Canada’s 2025 federal election upheld its integrity, but exposed a digital ecosystem under mounting strain.
Read on to learn about our key findings 🧵
Canada’s 2025 federal election upheld its integrity, but exposed a digital ecosystem under mounting strain.
Read on to learn about our key findings 🧵
Why it matters: Kirk’s assassination is fuelling polarization, disinformation, and risks of violence in Canada. This is not just a U.S. issue, it’s impacting Canada’s information ecosystem.
September 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Why it matters: Kirk’s assassination is fuelling polarization, disinformation, and risks of violence in Canada. This is not just a U.S. issue, it’s impacting Canada’s information ecosystem.
Polarization online is intensifying:
🔴 True North Wire & Rebel News have criticized progressive reactions.
🔴 Progressive commentators are highlighting Kirk’s controversial politics.
🔴 Commentators including Rachel Gilmore are facing harassment & threats.
🔴 True North Wire & Rebel News have criticized progressive reactions.
🔴 Progressive commentators are highlighting Kirk’s controversial politics.
🔴 Commentators including Rachel Gilmore are facing harassment & threats.
September 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Polarization online is intensifying:
🔴 True North Wire & Rebel News have criticized progressive reactions.
🔴 Progressive commentators are highlighting Kirk’s controversial politics.
🔴 Commentators including Rachel Gilmore are facing harassment & threats.
🔴 True North Wire & Rebel News have criticized progressive reactions.
🔴 Progressive commentators are highlighting Kirk’s controversial politics.
🔴 Commentators including Rachel Gilmore are facing harassment & threats.
Canadian politicians have weighed in, warning about the dangers of political violence and ideological disagreement.
Foreign states, such as Russia, China, and Iran, have demonstrated interest in amplifying and intensifying the polarizing discourse.
Foreign states, such as Russia, China, and Iran, have demonstrated interest in amplifying and intensifying the polarizing discourse.
September 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Canadian politicians have weighed in, warning about the dangers of political violence and ideological disagreement.
Foreign states, such as Russia, China, and Iran, have demonstrated interest in amplifying and intensifying the polarizing discourse.
Foreign states, such as Russia, China, and Iran, have demonstrated interest in amplifying and intensifying the polarizing discourse.
In Canada, fallout includes:
🔴 A UofT professor on leave after controversial comments.
🔴 Vigils in Winnipeg, Calgary & Regina, some met with protests.
🔴 A UofT professor on leave after controversial comments.
🔴 Vigils in Winnipeg, Calgary & Regina, some met with protests.
September 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
In Canada, fallout includes:
🔴 A UofT professor on leave after controversial comments.
🔴 Vigils in Winnipeg, Calgary & Regina, some met with protests.
🔴 A UofT professor on leave after controversial comments.
🔴 Vigils in Winnipeg, Calgary & Regina, some met with protests.
🚨 Information Incident Notification: Ripple Effects of the Charlie Kirk Assassination in the Canadian Information Ecosystem. 🧵
#charliekirk #cdnpoli #uspoli
#charliekirk #cdnpoli #uspoli
September 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
🚨 Information Incident Notification: Ripple Effects of the Charlie Kirk Assassination in the Canadian Information Ecosystem. 🧵
#charliekirk #cdnpoli #uspoli
#charliekirk #cdnpoli #uspoli
According to Kolga, Canada must treat the Greenland incident as a clear warning sign and act on 3 fronts:
September 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
According to Kolga, Canada must treat the Greenland incident as a clear warning sign and act on 3 fronts:
At Attention: Freedom, Interrupted, the panel "America as a Security Partner for Canada?" asked what Canada can expect from its closest ally in an uncertain security environment. 🧵
#foreignaffairs #cdnpoli #uspoli #partnerships #security
#foreignaffairs #cdnpoli #uspoli #partnerships #security
August 28, 2025 at 8:36 PM
At Attention: Freedom, Interrupted, the panel "America as a Security Partner for Canada?" asked what Canada can expect from its closest ally in an uncertain security environment. 🧵
#foreignaffairs #cdnpoli #uspoli #partnerships #security
#foreignaffairs #cdnpoli #uspoli #partnerships #security
Troubling times lie ahead for Canada's information ecosystem if nothing is done, but for MEO director @abridgman.bsky.social, course correction is always possible.
MEO's full report on the 45th federal election is coming soon! Follow us for more updates! #cdnpoli
🎥 CPAC
MEO's full report on the 45th federal election is coming soon! Follow us for more updates! #cdnpoli
🎥 CPAC
July 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Troubling times lie ahead for Canada's information ecosystem if nothing is done, but for MEO director @abridgman.bsky.social, course correction is always possible.
MEO's full report on the 45th federal election is coming soon! Follow us for more updates! #cdnpoli
🎥 CPAC
MEO's full report on the 45th federal election is coming soon! Follow us for more updates! #cdnpoli
🎥 CPAC
Looking forward to the 2025 Canadian Vote Summit, where MEO director @abridgman.bsky.social will be speaking on Foreign Interference during the 2025 Federal Election 🇨🇦
Stay tuned for more updates on May 21st!
Stay tuned for more updates on May 21st!
May 15, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Looking forward to the 2025 Canadian Vote Summit, where MEO director @abridgman.bsky.social will be speaking on Foreign Interference during the 2025 Federal Election 🇨🇦
Stay tuned for more updates on May 21st!
Stay tuned for more updates on May 21st!