Alfred Hermida is a frequent commentator in the media on how new communication technologies are affecting how we live, work and play.
He is well-known for his insights into the impact of social media and the role of participatory journalism in the news. His profile as a regular commentator in the media was recognized by the 2011 UBC President’s Award for Public Education Through Media.
Selected print/online highlights
- ‘Inching toward life support’: Small news outlets struggle with Meta’s news blocking, National Post, August 16, 2023
- A look at Bill C-18 and the ripple effects in news, Global News, (Republished in MSN News), July 4, 2023.
- National Post, Not just CBC: Broadcasters around the world slapped with Twitter’s inconsistent labels, April 20, 2023.
- TT (Swedish national news agency), Massuppsägningar på Twitter – experter oroas (Mass layoffs on Twitter – experts worry). Republished in FolkBaldet, Sydsvenskan, Dagens Nyheter, November 4, 2022.
- The Globe and Mail, Why is Elon Musk buying Twitter? What you need to know about the $44-billion deal. April 25, 2022.
- Canadian Press, Canadian news outlets close physical offices, codifying remote work, March 2021 (in Times-Colonist).
- CBC News, It plays to our worst fears’: Coronavirus misinformation fuelled by social media, January 2020.
- Canadian Press, B.C. privacy commissioner suggests media civility for Prince Harry and Meghan, January 2020 (in Toronto Star)
- Toronto Star, Will royal baby Archie grow up with a Canadian accent? And other questions about Harry and Meghan’s big move, January 2020
- Global News, Facebook launching political ad transparency tools ahead of Canadian federal vote, June 2019
- VICE news, Trump’s war on the media is driving students to journalism, November 2018
- University Affairs, Journalism programs struggle to adapt to changing times, July 2018
- Policy Options, Artificial intelligence is rewiring the news and information ecosystem in novel and unexpected ways, February 2018
- CBC News, New National looks to attract younger viewers with depth, analysis, more anchors, November 2017
- Maclean’s, Sex, lies and the CBC, October 2014
Selected TV highlights
- CTV News Network, Ottawa lays out new regulations, puts price on online news, September 1, 2023
- Al Jazeera English, Launch of Twitter competitor, Threads, July 5, 2023
- Global National, Meta tests blocking news on Facebook, Instagram in Canada over Bill C-18, June 4, 2023
- CBC The National, Elon Musk’s Twitter deal prompts free speech debate, April 29, 2022.
- CBC Vancouver TV. Russia blocks independent news and social media, March 4, 2022
- Global National, Facebook ‘unfriends’ Australia over news content rules, February 2021
- CBC News The National, Coronavirus misinformation floods social media, January 2020.
- Global News BC, Harry and Meghan threaten to sue photographers, January 2020
- Global National: Apology, legal actions threat after tweet about Phaneuf, Cuthbert and Lupul, March 2015
- Global BC: What makes a successful crowdfunding campaign?, March 2015
- TVO The Agenda: Dissent in a digital age, December 2014
- Global Toronto The Morning Show: Why we share and why it matters, October 2014
- CBC The National: The bystander effect and social media, March 2014
- CBC The National, Online online detectives work on Boston Marathon attack, April 2013
Selected radio highlights
- The Vassy Kapelos Show, 580 CFRA News Talk Radio, Ottawa suspends advertising on Facebook and Instagram, July 5, 2023.
- Chelsea on Ched, 630 CHED Radio, Google and Meta’s reaction to Bill C-18, July 4, 2023.
- Ottawa Now, 580 CFRA News Talk Radio, Google and Meta’s reaction to Bill C-18, July 4, 2023.
- CBC On the Coast, What is the future of Twitter as a social media platform? October 31, 2022.
- CBC BC Today, Elon Musk buys Twitter, April 26, 2022.
- BBC World Service, Digital Us, Digital Planet, September 2021.
- CBC BC Almanac, News on social media, June 2019
- PRI The World, Social media and the Boston Marathon bombings, April 2012
- Sunday Extra, ABC National Radio, Australia, The rise of citizen journalism, June 2012
- Digital Planet, BBC World Service: Twitter and media law, October 2009
Watch/listen to select media appearances
BC Today with Michelle Eliot, August 1: The end of news on Facebook and Instagram
Ottawa Now, 580 CFRA News Talk Radio (July 2023)
Al Jazeera English (July 2023)
Daily Matters podcast (2020)
TVO The Agenda (2014)