Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy
@mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social
Our organization examines how media and emerging technologies shape democracy. We’re housed at McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, and led by Taylor Owen.
Philippe Dufresne, Elizabeth Denham (Chair, Jersey Data Protection Authority) & Claire Atkin (Co-Founder & CEO, @checkmyads.org ) joined @jennifermwelsh.bsky.social (Director, @maxbellschool.bsky.social) to discuss current privacy laws and AI governance.
Watch their panel here: tinyurl.com/2xvt2jsy
Watch their panel here: tinyurl.com/2xvt2jsy
Panel: Data Privacy in an AI World | Attention: Govern Or Be Governed
At Attention: Govern Or Be Governed, Philippe Dufresne (Privacy Commissioner of Canada), Elizabeth Gary (Chair, Jersey Data Protection Authority, and former UK Commissioner of Information), and Claire Atkin (Co-Founder and CEO, Check My Ads Institute) joined Jennifer Welsh (Director, Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University) to discuss what the current age of AI means for data privacy. Attention: Govern Or Be Governed was a two-day international gathering, dedicated to understanding how the world's democracies can chart a new path forward in the digital age. This event was presented by Paradigms, the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, and the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Videography by Victor Oly, Natasha Zimin, and Jorge Vasconez. Visit the Attention website to learn more: https://www.attentionconferences.com/conferences/2025-forum
tinyurl.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Philippe Dufresne, Elizabeth Denham (Chair, Jersey Data Protection Authority) & Claire Atkin (Co-Founder & CEO, @checkmyads.org ) joined @jennifermwelsh.bsky.social (Director, @maxbellschool.bsky.social) to discuss current privacy laws and AI governance.
Watch their panel here: tinyurl.com/2xvt2jsy
Watch their panel here: tinyurl.com/2xvt2jsy
AI and the Growing Economy of Fraud is a free event presented by @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social, @canadianshieldinstitute.ca and MASS LBP, funded by the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation.
Space is limited so we encourage you to reserve as soon as possible. Click here to register: tinyurl.com/fyaakr3n
Space is limited so we encourage you to reserve as soon as possible. Click here to register: tinyurl.com/fyaakr3n
AI and the Growing Economy of Fraud
AI is reshaping fraud. Join experts in Ottawa to chart Canada’s path against deepfakes and digital deception.
tinyurl.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:51 PM
AI and the Growing Economy of Fraud is a free event presented by @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social, @canadianshieldinstitute.ca and MASS LBP, funded by the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation.
Space is limited so we encourage you to reserve as soon as possible. Click here to register: tinyurl.com/fyaakr3n
Space is limited so we encourage you to reserve as soon as possible. Click here to register: tinyurl.com/fyaakr3n
Watch the full panel on building democratic tech, featuring @ivansigal.bsky.social, @ethanz.bsky.social, and Mark Surman here: youtu.be/2pAoDrr8-Mg?...
Panel: Building the Next Generation of Democratic Tech | Attention: Govern Or Be Governed
YouTube video by Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Watch the full panel on building democratic tech, featuring @ivansigal.bsky.social, @ethanz.bsky.social, and Mark Surman here: youtu.be/2pAoDrr8-Mg?...
Surman (President, @mozilla.org Foundation) adds that programmers building alternative models are key to democratic tech, since their technical choices embed values into digital infrastructure. Consumers also influence technology by choosing platforms that align with their values.
November 25, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Surman (President, @mozilla.org Foundation) adds that programmers building alternative models are key to democratic tech, since their technical choices embed values into digital infrastructure. Consumers also influence technology by choosing platforms that align with their values.
@ethanz.bsky.social (Professor, @umassamherst.bsky.social) contrasts “big rooms” (like major platforms), where users rarely agree and governance is tough, with “small rooms” like Subreddits. The latter's clear purpose and member-led governance offer a model for more democratic, user-driven tech.
November 25, 2025 at 9:30 PM
@ethanz.bsky.social (Professor, @umassamherst.bsky.social) contrasts “big rooms” (like major platforms), where users rarely agree and governance is tough, with “small rooms” like Subreddits. The latter's clear purpose and member-led governance offer a model for more democratic, user-driven tech.
Thank you to @jameeljaffer.bsky.social, @imranahmed.bsky.social, and @klonick.bsky.social for joining us at #AttnGovernOrBeGoverned.
Listen to their discussion about the perilous new free speech moment here: youtu.be/49rqCoB9L98?...
Listen to their discussion about the perilous new free speech moment here: youtu.be/49rqCoB9L98?...
Panel: Navigating a Perilous New Free Speech Moment | Attention: Govern Or Be Governed
YouTube video by Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Thank you to @jameeljaffer.bsky.social, @imranahmed.bsky.social, and @klonick.bsky.social for joining us at #AttnGovernOrBeGoverned.
Listen to their discussion about the perilous new free speech moment here: youtu.be/49rqCoB9L98?...
Listen to their discussion about the perilous new free speech moment here: youtu.be/49rqCoB9L98?...
In contrast, @imranahmed.bsky.social focused on the bottom-up, structural threats to free speech, driven by platform architectures, algorithmic amplification, and the economic incentives of major technology companies.
November 21, 2025 at 9:59 PM
In contrast, @imranahmed.bsky.social focused on the bottom-up, structural threats to free speech, driven by platform architectures, algorithmic amplification, and the economic incentives of major technology companies.
@jameeljaffer.bsky.social emphasized the top-down political threats to free speech posed by President #Trump. Unlike in Trump's first term—characterized by institutional resistance—we are seeing much less meaningful pushback today, exposing the fragility of free expression in the U.S.
November 21, 2025 at 9:59 PM
@jameeljaffer.bsky.social emphasized the top-down political threats to free speech posed by President #Trump. Unlike in Trump's first term—characterized by institutional resistance—we are seeing much less meaningful pushback today, exposing the fragility of free expression in the U.S.
We were very lucky to hear from Baroness Beeban Kidron at at #AttnGovernOrBeGoverned. You can now listen to her full talk here: youtu.be/6cryJRsWt-c?...
#BeebanKidron #UK #artificialintelligence
#BeebanKidron #UK #artificialintelligence
Valuing Artists in the Age of AI (Beeban Kidron) | Attention: Govern Or Be Governed
YouTube video by Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 7:36 PM
We were very lucky to hear from Baroness Beeban Kidron at at #AttnGovernOrBeGoverned. You can now listen to her full talk here: youtu.be/6cryJRsWt-c?...
#BeebanKidron #UK #artificialintelligence
#BeebanKidron #UK #artificialintelligence
In closing, Kidron explained: "As we stand at this crossroads, it is not a choice between automation and imagination, but a path forward that honours both. The battle for creativity is in fact a battle for control, democracy, and the story of humanity itself."
November 20, 2025 at 7:36 PM
In closing, Kidron explained: "As we stand at this crossroads, it is not a choice between automation and imagination, but a path forward that honours both. The battle for creativity is in fact a battle for control, democracy, and the story of humanity itself."
Kidron illustrated how AI relies on artists: "The raw materials of human creativity are being harvested, repackaged, and sold back to us by those who claim to be inventing the future, at a scale that threatens to kill the economy that underpins its creation in the first place."
November 20, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Kidron illustrated how AI relies on artists: "The raw materials of human creativity are being harvested, repackaged, and sold back to us by those who claim to be inventing the future, at a scale that threatens to kill the economy that underpins its creation in the first place."
You can watch the full panel on the weaponization of tech governance here: youtu.be/l3QDTXYG7bo?...
Panel: The Weaponization of Tech Governance | Attention: Govern Or Be Governed
YouTube video by Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 10:20 PM
You can watch the full panel on the weaponization of tech governance here: youtu.be/l3QDTXYG7bo?...
Sir Jeremy Wright warned that we cannot assume democracy will always be there. "We all have to take a little bit more responsibility as politicians for the way in which we express ourselves and not fall victim to the temptation to attack the underpinnings of our democracy."
November 19, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Sir Jeremy Wright warned that we cannot assume democracy will always be there. "We all have to take a little bit more responsibility as politicians for the way in which we express ourselves and not fall victim to the temptation to attack the underpinnings of our democracy."
@alexandrageese.bsky.social (Member of the EU Parliament) argued that the creation of narratives labelling the DSA as censorship represent a form of foreign interference from the tech and MAGA communities. In reality, she explains, legislation like the DSA can actually bolster free speech.
November 19, 2025 at 10:20 PM
@alexandrageese.bsky.social (Member of the EU Parliament) argued that the creation of narratives labelling the DSA as censorship represent a form of foreign interference from the tech and MAGA communities. In reality, she explains, legislation like the DSA can actually bolster free speech.
Sasha Havlicek (Co-Founder and CEO, @isdglobal.org) began with a reminder that transparency is in everyone's best interest, regardless of one's political leanings. By making data accessible, independent researchers can monitor and detect threats to protect democracies and their citizens.
November 19, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Sasha Havlicek (Co-Founder and CEO, @isdglobal.org) began with a reminder that transparency is in everyone's best interest, regardless of one's political leanings. By making data accessible, independent researchers can monitor and detect threats to protect democracies and their citizens.
It’s written, produced, mixed and sound designed by Mitchell Stuart. The story editor is Kathleen Goldhar. The executive producers for Paradigms are James Milward, Helen Hayes, @taylorowen.bsky.social and Mitchell Stuart. The executive producer for @thestar.com is JP Fozo.
November 18, 2025 at 10:08 PM
It’s written, produced, mixed and sound designed by Mitchell Stuart. The story editor is Kathleen Goldhar. The executive producers for Paradigms are James Milward, Helen Hayes, @taylorowen.bsky.social and Mitchell Stuart. The executive producer for @thestar.com is JP Fozo.