January 6 was an event that opened our eyes to a tough truth about American democracy: the online world is not just a space for chatting, social discourse, and sharing images; it has become a powerful force capable of shaping political reality. For years, social media platforms amplified misinformation, conspiracy theories, and political extremism, often
Who Governs the Digital Public Sphere? Read More »
Module 5: Blog Post No. 4 How Has the Internet Changed Freedom of Expression? Freedom of expression has long been central to American democratic life, but the internet has fundamentally transformed how that freedom operates in practice. Gatekeepers such as newspapers, television networks, and radio broadcasters largely controlled access to mass expression before the advent
The Digital Public Square: Free Expression and Rights Online Read More »
Freedom of expression has always existed in tension with public order. It sits on a narrow line between liberty and what the state labels as extremism, obscenity, or danger. Historically, whenever expression pushes society into discomfort, the government responds with regulation. The question is not whether regulation exists, but when it becomes excessive and who
Module 4 Blog Post: State Power, Speech, and the Limits of Regulation Read More »
Free Expression, Cultural Voice, and the Struggle to Be Heard The societal value of free expression is so fundamental that even ancient civilizations understood its importance. Long before social media platforms or digital networks, thinkers in ancient Greece debated the meaning and purpose of speech, distinguishing between isegoria, the equal right to speak in public,
The Societal and Personal Value of Free Expression Read More »
In 1988, a group of young black men from Compton, California grabbed microphones and challenged the national conversation. When N.W.A. dropped Straight Outta Compton, the sound of hip hop exploded into something raw, unfiltered, and impossible to ignore. Their most infamous track, “F* Tha Police,”** wasn’t just a song; it became a public outcry, a
F*** Tha Police”: How N.W.A. Turned Rage into Civic Imagination Read More »
We live in a world saturated with media messages, and whether we realize it or not, those messages shape how we see ourselves and others. Most of the time, when we talk about negative portrayals of men, the focus tends to land on toxic masculinity, the stoic, aggressive, hypersexual archetype that’s been criticized for years.
The Bumbling Man: Why Media’s ‘Dumb Dad’ Trope Does More Harm Than Humor Read More »
Birtherism is the conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in the United States and therefore was not eligible to serve as president. On the surface, it seems like just another wild internet rumor, but its impact on American politics has been enormous. As the first Black president, Obama represented progress, but birtherism weaponized
Birtherism: How a Conspiracy Theory Reshaped American Politics Read More »
7:30–8:00 a.m.: Twitter (X) and ThreadsMy day started on social media, scrolling through headlines about the death of commentator Charlie Kirk and the tragic stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee. Normally, I keep quiet, but I engaged more than usual, especially on Threads. On Twitter, I use an anonymous account with no real name, photo, or
My Digital Footprint – 9/11 Edition Read More »
I am well aware that I spend an abundant amount of time using media in just about every aspect of my life, but after doing this assignment, it really opened my eyes to how much I use it and how much I actually depend on media just to get through my day. 06:30 AM –
Welcome to Mike Riley’s 24-Hour Media Diet Read More »
