SJMC Weekly Announcements

Sue and her article "Rectifying Harm Through Care-Based Practices: How Journalists Might Tend to Disengaged Communities," was featured in RQ1, a monthly newsletter highlighting the latest in research on news and journalism. For her research, Sue and her co-author, Patrick Johnson, partnered with Trusting News, which works with news organizations on trust-building in their communities. Their research captures how journalists might learn to listen and engage more proactively as well as why doing so might lead to journalists who are more receptive, flexible and empathetic. Read the feature in RQ1.

Ph.D. students Luhang Sun, Yibing Sun and Yoo Ji Suh, research M.A. student Mian (Gloria) Wei and assistant professor Sijia Yang recently published their article, "Smiling women pitching down: auditing representational and presentational gender biases in image-generative AI," in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. The article examines the potential occupational gender biases in AI-generated images and ultimately finds that the images underrepresent women in male-dominated fields while overrepresenting them in female-dominated occupations. Read the full article.

CCD fellows and Ph.D. students Macau Mak and Mengyu Li and, professor Hernando Rojas published their article, "Social Media and Perceived Political Polarization: Role of Perceived Platform Affordances, Participation in Uncivil Political Discussion, and Perceived Others' Engagement," in Social Media + Society. The article argues that users' perceptions of platform affordances influence both (a) their self participation in uncivil political discussion on social media and (b) perceptions of others' engagement, which eventually shape their perceptions of polarization. Read the full article.

Follow along this month as we honor our SJMC alumni during Black History Month as they have greatly contributed to shaping narratives that amplify diverse voices within the world of journalism and strategic communication. This week, we highlighted Tamia Fowlkes (BA'22), a public investigator reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She was recently appointed to the Milwaukee Press Club Endowment Board where she aims to contribute to the organization's goal of advancing journalism and supporting the next generation of journalists through scholarships, internships and awards.

The SJMC and the Center for Journalism Ethics are excited to welcome the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation to campus on Friday, Feb. 16 for a screening of "Jim: The James Foley Story" and a discussion of journalist safety. All are welcome to attend this sure-to-be impactful event.

Associate professor at the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication Rebekah Nagler will present her talk "Confronting the perennial challenge of conflicting health information" on Monday, Feb. 19 in the Nafziger Room (5055 Vilas Hall). Lunch will be provided.

The SJMC is excited to welcome UW alum and BOV member Andy Katz on Thursday, Feb. 22 for a presentation about dealing with and thriving from adversity in the world of sports media. Andy Katz is a digital reporter, analyst and host for NCAA and Big Ten Network. Light refreshments will be provided. Mark your calendars – you don't want to miss this event!