Toward a Better Internet
Could a civic-minded digital media emerge as a counterweight to the current platform-dominated internet, where algorithms help spread mis- and disinformation, echo chambers cabin our online interactions, and tech giants dominate over a wide range of economic and expressive activities?
This blog channel explores the possibility of building a better internet, one that facilitates public discourse, respects individual privacy, and fosters democratic processes.
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Deep Dive: Toward a Better Internet
Can We Conceive of a New Internet?
By A. Adam GlennThe Knight First Amendment Institute hosted a week-long symposium to explore ways to lessen the dominance of tech giants and find new alternatives to gather online.
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Deep Dive: Toward a Better Internet
Social Media Mapping Project Takes Flight with Avian Avatars
Collaboration between Institute researchers, artist pairs various online community “logics” with birds of a feather
By A. Adam Glenn -
Deep Dive: Toward a Better Internet
An Illustrated Field Guide to Social Media
A look at alternative logics for social media published in connection with “Reimagine the Internet”
By Chand Rajendra-Nicolucci & Ethan Zuckerman -
Deep Dive: Toward a Better Internet
Forum Logic: Topical, with a side of toxicity
Looking back at topic-based social networks may offer one way forward for social media
By Chand Rajendra-Nicolucci & Ethan Zuckerman -
Deep Dive: Toward a Better Internet
Gift Logic: Labors of love flourish online under fandom’s social norms
Fan culture’s cycle of gifting, receiving, and reciprocating helps create and maintain social solidarity
By Casey Fiesler -
Deep Dive: Toward a Better Internet
Russian Social Media Logic: Between the East and the West
Contradiction is the defining feature of the Runet
By Gregory Asmolov -
Deep Dive: Toward a Better Internet
Q&A Logic: Questions, answers, and everything in-between
Could social roles help us build healthier communities online?
By Chand Rajendra-Nicolucci & Ethan Zuckerman -
Deep Dive: Toward a Better Internet
Creator Logic: It's like Uber but for culture
The original gig economy returns online
By Chand Rajendra-Nicolucci & Ethan Zuckerman -
Deep Dive: Toward a Better Internet
The Great Shopping Mall: The market nationalist logic of Chinese social media
The West tends to focus on security, but entertainment and commerce are the key goals here
By An Xiao Mina & Xiaowei Wang -
Deep Dive: Toward a Better Internet
Top 100: The most popular social media platforms and what they can teach us
Moving past U.S. and Facebook centrism
By Chand Rajendra-Nicolucci & Ethan Zuckerman
Reading Room
Transparency & Democracy
Press-related prosecutions under the Espionage Act
Legal filings in Espionage Act prosecutions of individuals accused of disclosing information to the press and public
Learn MoreLitigation
Lawsuit
Edgar v. Haines
A lawsuit challenging the government's system of "prepublication review"
Learn MoreLitigation
Lawsuit
Doc Society v. Blinken
A lawsuit challenging the State Department’s social media registration requirement
Learn MoreResearch
Deep Dive
An Illustrated Field Guide to Social Media
A look at alternative logics for social media published in connection with “Reimagine the Internet”
Learn More