Alex Boyd
@alexboyd.bsky.social
National misinformation + politics reporter.
Toronto Star, but in Alberta.
Signal: alexboyd.56
Toronto Star, but in Alberta.
Signal: alexboyd.56
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
Fact-checks improve accuracy. But can they penalize spreaders of misinfo? At @polbehavior.bsky.social, Jacob Ausubel, Annika Davies and I show that the answer is yes--sometimes. Unknown misinfo producers can be penalized, but well-known figures get off. Link: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
The Reputational Penalty: How Fact-Checking Can Penalize Those Who Spread Misinformation - Political Behavior
Whether or not political leaders pay a price for spreading misinformation has profound implications for democracy. In this paper, we identify the conditions under which corrections of misinformation c...
link.springer.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Fact-checks improve accuracy. But can they penalize spreaders of misinfo? At @polbehavior.bsky.social, Jacob Ausubel, Annika Davies and I show that the answer is yes--sometimes. Unknown misinfo producers can be penalized, but well-known figures get off. Link: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Alex Boyd
The cull of ostriches at a BC farm has become a beacon for those on the right, mixing with animal rights activists. I spoke to @alexboyd.bsky.social at the Toronto Star about the implications.
www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
www.thestar.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:32 AM
The cull of ostriches at a BC farm has become a beacon for those on the right, mixing with animal rights activists. I spoke to @alexboyd.bsky.social at the Toronto Star about the implications.
www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Like many other people, I watched the BC ostrich farm drama come to an end via livestream. About those livestreams: www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
As B.C. ostriches met their fate, a ‘disenfranchised’ community formed online to watch
The ostrich movement has forged “a new sense of unity for some of the people who are already feeling ... distrustful of the government,” according to a lecturer at the
www.thestar.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Like many other people, I watched the BC ostrich farm drama come to an end via livestream. About those livestreams: www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Reposted by Alex Boyd
Meta's fraud problem: The social media giant projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by @Reuters show reut.rs/4qJTpdH
November 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Meta's fraud problem: The social media giant projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by @Reuters show reut.rs/4qJTpdH
Uh oh, some ostrich news may be incoming. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Crews in hazmat suits move in on ostriches at B.C. farm after top court dismisses appeal to save flock | CBC
www.cbc.ca
November 6, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Uh oh, some ostrich news may be incoming. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Alex Boyd
My main thought about this anti-feminism, tradwife, woke-gone-too-far trend is that it's presented as bold, new thinking
And it is instead the same boring, lazy, heterodox-if-you're-in-1930, men-are-hunters pop psychology nonsense I've heard from old men shaking their fists in the pub after 5 pints
And it is instead the same boring, lazy, heterodox-if-you're-in-1930, men-are-hunters pop psychology nonsense I've heard from old men shaking their fists in the pub after 5 pints
November 6, 2025 at 5:25 PM
My main thought about this anti-feminism, tradwife, woke-gone-too-far trend is that it's presented as bold, new thinking
And it is instead the same boring, lazy, heterodox-if-you're-in-1930, men-are-hunters pop psychology nonsense I've heard from old men shaking their fists in the pub after 5 pints
And it is instead the same boring, lazy, heterodox-if-you're-in-1930, men-are-hunters pop psychology nonsense I've heard from old men shaking their fists in the pub after 5 pints
As much as people love to talk about hair parts and the millennial pause, this may be the true gaping generational divide. I don't share my location, I don't know any other millennials who regularly do, and the whole idea just feels so... creepy. And they like it! macleans.ca/society/tech...
Why Gen Z is Addicted to Location Sharing - Macleans.ca
Constant digital surveillance has become a social expectation for my peers. I wish I could quit it.
macleans.ca
November 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
As much as people love to talk about hair parts and the millennial pause, this may be the true gaping generational divide. I don't share my location, I don't know any other millennials who regularly do, and the whole idea just feels so... creepy. And they like it! macleans.ca/society/tech...
"What makes a woman a mother? MaryBeth’s case became a legal quagmire in part because everyone involved had a different answer — and visceral reaction — to that deceptively simple human question." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/m...
She Was Ready to Have Her 15th Child. Then Came the Felony Charges.
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:45 PM
"What makes a woman a mother? MaryBeth’s case became a legal quagmire in part because everyone involved had a different answer — and visceral reaction — to that deceptively simple human question." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/m...
Reposted by Alex Boyd
This is wild. Teen Vogue's politics coverage was industry leading and actually doing something interesting in an industry that works so hard to be uninteresting.
All the solidarity and support to everyone impacted, this sucks so bad.
All the solidarity and support to everyone impacted, this sucks so bad.
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 3, 2025 at 8:06 PM
This is wild. Teen Vogue's politics coverage was industry leading and actually doing something interesting in an industry that works so hard to be uninteresting.
All the solidarity and support to everyone impacted, this sucks so bad.
All the solidarity and support to everyone impacted, this sucks so bad.
Cough damage control cough people.com/meghan-markl...
Meghan Markle Shares Rare Glimpse Inside Home Theater as Friend Reveals Who Prince Harry Was Really Rooting for in World Series
Meghan Markle shared a video of her and Prince Harry watching the 2025 World Series on her Instagram Stories on Saturday, Nov. 1. After the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 durin...
people.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Cough damage control cough people.com/meghan-markl...
To ask or not to ask? From the weekend, I wrote another update on Alberta's dueling separatist (or not?) questions. (This story has slightly more mudslinging than I'd normally include, but it felt like part of the story here.) www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
One man’s fight to keep Alberta in Canada
This week, Thomas Lukaszuk turned in a petitions with more than 456,000 signatures, all them urging the province to remain.
www.thestar.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:18 PM
To ask or not to ask? From the weekend, I wrote another update on Alberta's dueling separatist (or not?) questions. (This story has slightly more mudslinging than I'd normally include, but it felt like part of the story here.) www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
Reposted by Alex Boyd
From the notwithstanding clause and the Forever Canadian petition to recall attempts and separatist rallies.
We cover a lot of ground in this episode. I hope you enjoy!
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...
We cover a lot of ground in this episode. I hope you enjoy!
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...
'A shock to the political system in Alberta'
Podcast Episode · West of Centre · 2025-10-31 · 44m
podcasts.apple.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:41 PM
From the notwithstanding clause and the Forever Canadian petition to recall attempts and separatist rallies.
We cover a lot of ground in this episode. I hope you enjoy!
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...
We cover a lot of ground in this episode. I hope you enjoy!
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...
Reposted by Alex Boyd
A French cyclist survived for three days after a horrendous 130-foot fall into a ravine, kept alive by the bottles of red wine he had in his shopping bag, police said.
Cyclist falls down 130-foot ravine in France, survives 3 days by drinking wine he had in shopping bag
A helicopter airlifted him to hospital, with a rescue doctor calling his survival "a miracle."
cbsn.ws
October 31, 2025 at 12:40 PM
A French cyclist survived for three days after a horrendous 130-foot fall into a ravine, kept alive by the bottles of red wine he had in his shopping bag, police said.
Reposted by Alex Boyd
I can answer this. I interviewed Peterson's tailor a few years ago, although the interview was never published because I fell behind on work. Here is the story of this suit. 🧵
October 31, 2025 at 2:43 AM
I can answer this. I interviewed Peterson's tailor a few years ago, although the interview was never published because I fell behind on work. Here is the story of this suit. 🧵
I refuse to learn what 6-7 means, I'm just sitting this bit of internet out and will catch the next one, thanks.
October 30, 2025 at 9:12 PM
I refuse to learn what 6-7 means, I'm just sitting this bit of internet out and will catch the next one, thanks.
Reposted by Alex Boyd
Did you miss the launch event of our report on news creators and influencers?
Here's a summary by our own Gretel Kahn, which includes four takeaways and many insights from our speakers Emilio Doménech, Akash Banerjee and Mosheh Oinounou
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/summary...
Here's a summary by our own Gretel Kahn, which includes four takeaways and many insights from our speakers Emilio Doménech, Akash Banerjee and Mosheh Oinounou
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/summary...
‘Building a very different kind of trust’: Four things we learnt at the launch of our report on news creators
More than 1,600 people signed up for our event, featuring Mosheh Oinounou from the US, Akash Banerjee from India and Emilio Doménech from Spain.
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk
October 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Did you miss the launch event of our report on news creators and influencers?
Here's a summary by our own Gretel Kahn, which includes four takeaways and many insights from our speakers Emilio Doménech, Akash Banerjee and Mosheh Oinounou
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/summary...
Here's a summary by our own Gretel Kahn, which includes four takeaways and many insights from our speakers Emilio Doménech, Akash Banerjee and Mosheh Oinounou
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/summary...
Reposted by Alex Boyd
NEW: Trump has announced that the US will admit the lowest level of refugees ever at 7,500 in FY 2026. The US will only be admitting as refugees White people from South Africa and "victims of illegal or unjust discrimination," which leaked memos suggest means far-right Europeans.
October 30, 2025 at 5:11 PM
NEW: Trump has announced that the US will admit the lowest level of refugees ever at 7,500 in FY 2026. The US will only be admitting as refugees White people from South Africa and "victims of illegal or unjust discrimination," which leaked memos suggest means far-right Europeans.
Reposted by Alex Boyd
Guzy set out to photograph a parade.
"Then I’m like, well maybe I should check it (immigration court) out for a day or two — and here I am, almost five months later."
"I’m 100% sure that things are done differently because eyes are on the scene."
Photojournalism can impact both sides of the lens.
"Then I’m like, well maybe I should check it (immigration court) out for a day or two — and here I am, almost five months later."
"I’m 100% sure that things are done differently because eyes are on the scene."
Photojournalism can impact both sides of the lens.
ICE in courts: How two photojournalists are dealing with the trauma of documenting immigrant detentions at Federal Plaza | amNewYork
Almost every day for five months, photojournalists David Dee Delgado and Carol Guzy have entered 26 Federal Plaza with cameras in hand.
www.amny.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Guzy set out to photograph a parade.
"Then I’m like, well maybe I should check it (immigration court) out for a day or two — and here I am, almost five months later."
"I’m 100% sure that things are done differently because eyes are on the scene."
Photojournalism can impact both sides of the lens.
"Then I’m like, well maybe I should check it (immigration court) out for a day or two — and here I am, almost five months later."
"I’m 100% sure that things are done differently because eyes are on the scene."
Photojournalism can impact both sides of the lens.
Alberta's identity crisis trundles forward. Elections Alberta has 21 days to verify the results of the pro-Canadian petition, after which the legislature has to either table a report or recommend a referendum.
The big question: will this head the pro-separatist question off at the pass?
The big question: will this head the pro-separatist question off at the pass?
Today, I submitted 456,365 Albertans’ signatures to Elections Alberta, petitioning the Premier to do the right thing, avoid a divisive and economically harmful referendum, and allow MLAs to vote and reaffirm that Alberta’s future is in Canada.🇨🇦
Alberta is #ForeverCanadian
Alberta is #ForeverCanadian
October 28, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Alberta's identity crisis trundles forward. Elections Alberta has 21 days to verify the results of the pro-Canadian petition, after which the legislature has to either table a report or recommend a referendum.
The big question: will this head the pro-separatist question off at the pass?
The big question: will this head the pro-separatist question off at the pass?
Reposted by Alex Boyd
While there’s a lot of focus on young people and screen time, a new British study found that adults over 65 spend more than three hours a day on smartphones, computers, and tablets. When TV is included, older adults actually log *more daily screen time* than young adults.
Meet the real screen addicts: the elderly
The digital habits that defined youth are transforming old age
www.economist.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
While there’s a lot of focus on young people and screen time, a new British study found that adults over 65 spend more than three hours a day on smartphones, computers, and tablets. When TV is included, older adults actually log *more daily screen time* than young adults.
"Public health and infectious disease experts attribute the return of measles to declining vaccination rates, stemming from misinformation-fuelled vaccine hesitancy and distrust of science, as well as the disruption of routine immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Canada's status as a country without endemic measles can now be revoked https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/canadas-status-as-a-country-without-endemic-measles-can-now-be-revoked/article_b7a44e92-80f8-5e56-a19c-1d4588b871c2.html
𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter
𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter
October 27, 2025 at 5:42 PM
"Public health and infectious disease experts attribute the return of measles to declining vaccination rates, stemming from misinformation-fuelled vaccine hesitancy and distrust of science, as well as the disruption of routine immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Reposted by Alex Boyd
Ugh. Yet ANOTHER reason to be "wary of a confusing media landscape."
AI-generated news sites spout viral slop from forgotten URLs www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/ai-g...
"These sites appear to be part of a new wave of AI-generated content farms that swoop in to seize dormant domains."
AI-generated news sites spout viral slop from forgotten URLs www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/ai-g...
"These sites appear to be part of a new wave of AI-generated content farms that swoop in to seize dormant domains."
AI-generated news sites spout viral slop from forgotten URLs
A new generation of content farms are harnessing AI to spin out clickbait — and they’re getting help from Google.
www.niemanlab.org
October 16, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Ugh. Yet ANOTHER reason to be "wary of a confusing media landscape."
AI-generated news sites spout viral slop from forgotten URLs www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/ai-g...
"These sites appear to be part of a new wave of AI-generated content farms that swoop in to seize dormant domains."
AI-generated news sites spout viral slop from forgotten URLs www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/ai-g...
"These sites appear to be part of a new wave of AI-generated content farms that swoop in to seize dormant domains."
Brandolini's Law is the idea that it's way easier to create misinformation than to debunk it. (Also know as the bullshit asymmetry principle.) Lots of people are currently writing great fact checks, meanwhile Trump's post has been up for hours, will probs go uncorrected. www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/b...
What the Ronald Reagan ad that got Trump so angry was really all about | CNN Business
President Donald Trump has canceled trade negotiations with Canada over what he called a “fake” ad that featured parts of an anti-tariff speech delivered by conservative hero and former President Rona...
www.cnn.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Brandolini's Law is the idea that it's way easier to create misinformation than to debunk it. (Also know as the bullshit asymmetry principle.) Lots of people are currently writing great fact checks, meanwhile Trump's post has been up for hours, will probs go uncorrected. www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/b...