Chris Tenove

⚠️On September 10, the CSDI and the Electoral Integrity Project co-hosted the Technology and the Future of Democracy conference – bringing together over 80 attendees from academia, civil society, and policy practice.
🧵Read more below!
democracy.ubc.ca/news/technol...
democracy.ubc.ca/news/stress-...

AI misinformation poses a growing threat to public trust and safety.

Join us for a panel of cross-sectoral experts who will discuss policy, regulation and technical interventions: https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/ai-driven-misinformation-across-sectors-addressing-a-cross-societal-challenge/

Dis:connectivity and Globalisation Globalisation is one of the most contested concepts of our time. From its promise of borderless flows of people, goods, and finance in the 1990s, it embodies today almost the opposite: deglobalisation...

@heiditworek.bsky.social discusses the undulation of communication technologies and their ability to both attract and oppose the energy of globalization in @globaldiscnct.bsky.social's recent volume.

Find Heidi's chapter and the entire open-access collection: www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...

70 leading Canadians, civil society groups ask Carney to protect Canada's 'digital sovereignty' | CBC News Dozens of experts, academics and organizations have released an open letter urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to swiftly "defend Canada's digital sovereignty" and protect the country from the whims of...

Proud to have signed this letter alongside a pretty amazing set of people & organizations.

These are complex issues for sure but it’s very helpful to have such a public, detailed framework agreed to by such a group.

www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

AI chatbots changing online threat landscape as Ottawa reviews legislation OTTAWA - Wrongful death lawsuits citing the activities of artificial intelligence chatbots are underway in the United States, as reports emerge of mental health issues and delusions induced by AI

Dr. Chris Tenove (@cjten.bsky.social @ubcdemocracy.bsky.social) said the Trump administration is a "major counterforce" in international efforts to regulate online harm.

via @cdnpress.bsky.social

⚠️@heiditworek.bsky.social and @cjten.bsky.social recently presented to the BC Special Committee on Democratic and Electoral Reform - using research from collaboration with @meo-cdmrn.bsky.social. @maxcameron.bsky.social, former CSDI Director, also testified.
🔗See more: www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentar...

Information Integrity about Climate Science: A Systematic Review Synthesis Report - Information Integrity about Climate Science: A Systematic Review

⚠️How can policymakers and civil society combat climate disinformation and misinformation in our information ecosystems?

🌍International Panel on the Information Environment report on new global trends: www.ipie.info/research/sr2...

🇨🇦CSDI report on local approaches: democracy.ubc.ca/publications...

New AI minister says Canada won’t ‘over-index’ on AI regulation OTTAWA — Canada's new minister of artificial intelligence said Tuesday he'll put less emphasis on AI regulation and more on finding ways to harness the technology's economic benefits.

🇨🇦As Canada forges new AI policy, read the CSDI's 'Harmful Hallucinations: Generative AI and Elections' report to understand how AI challenges our elections and information systems.

🗞️Analysis by @Anja Karadeglija: www.stalbertgazette.com/science-news...

🔗Report: democracy.ubc.ca/publications...

Reputational attacks against journalists Results from interviews and a global survey of journalists about their experiences with reputational attacks.

The leaked video is a strong example of a reputational attack targeting a journalist, something we at the GRC conducted extensive research on in our 'Not Just Words' interactive website and accompanying report — led by @cjten.bsky.social. bit.ly/3HmyFDA

Rubio is basically carrying the water for U.S. tech firms. These companies have spent decades attempting to avoid regulatory oversight. Having failed in those efforts, they are now leveraging the full power of the U.S. government to advance their interests.

This is a very important and valuable resource for journalists or researchers facing harassment. Thanks @rebekahtromble.bsky.social and team!
expertvoicestogether.org

How We’re Using AI The rapid development of AI is already changing how journalists operate. Reporters, editors, executives, and others across the news industry share their advice on how to engage—and where to draw the l...

AI is already changing how journalists operate. Reporters, editors, executives, and others across the news industry share their advice on how to engage—and where to draw the line. By Mike Ananny and Matt Pearce in collaboration with USC's AI for Media & Storytelling. www.cjr.org/feature-2/ho...

What Is News? As people are exposed to more information from more sources than ever before, how they define and feel about “news” has become less clear-cut. Pew Research Center.

And just like that, over a year of work from our team is out in the world! Our latest @pewresearch.org data essay, part of the Pew-Knight Initiative, explores how Americans decide what "news" means to them – and how it fits into their lives in the digital era.

www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2...

Conservative fundraising email suggests Liberals trying to 'tip the scales' in recounts | CBC News A Conservative Party fundraising email alleges the Liberals are trying to "tip the scales" in riding recounts, language political watchers say is concerning as some Canadians say they don't trust the ...

A new Conservative email claims Liberals are “tipping the scales.” CSDI’s Chris Tenove (@cjten.bsky.social) tells CBC this kind of rhetoric risks fueling distrust—even as most Canadians still trust the results.

🔗 Read: www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

any excuse to repost the greatest Tetris story ever, when a reporter went to cover early e-gaming championships and discovered that his wife was unknowingly *the world's greatest Tetris player* by a huge margin

archive.boston.com/news/globe/m...

Saw an advance preview of this amazing series. Check it out!

True lies on the Poilievre campaign trail I fell into conversation with a soft-spoken conservative influencer. She was telling me how bad crime has become. I nodded, somewhat skeptical, when two members of our group rushed in. “You guys!” the...

I spent the month of April trying to decode the appeal of Pierre Poilievre to millions of Canadians.
Followed his campaign from Nanaimo to Nova Scotia. Hit 10 rallies and 13 press conferences.
Here, to borrow one of his lines, is what I'm bringing home.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/04/26/a...

Election interference: China switches tactics to promote Mark Carney, says B.C. target Douglas Todd: Sometimes China interferes by launching attacks on politicians. Other times it is complimentary, say former MP. Read more.

📰 In the @vancouversun.bsky.social, Chris Tenove explains how foreign actors use computational tricks—like fake WeChat networks—to shape Canadian political narratives.

🔗 vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...

Foreign interference threats in Canada’s federal election are both old and new Canadians should be alert to foreign interference in the federal election, but the most important thing to do is cast a ballot based on their own well-informed priorities, worries and aspirations.

🌐 In The Conversation, Chris Tenove and Heidi Tworek (@heiditworek.bsky.social) examine how Canada’s foreign interference threats are both new and deeply historical.

🔗 theconversation.com/foreign-inte...

Why Voter Distrust is Brewing - Macleans.ca As Canadians head to the polls, rumours of manipulation and fraud are swirling. Here’s why.

🗳️ In @macleans.bsky.social: Chris Tenove (@cjten.bsky.social) breaks down why voter distrust is surging—from fraud rumors to foreign interference to info system breakdowns.

Featuring insights by Nishtha Gupta, Grace Lim & Mahnan Omar.

🔗 macleans.ca/politics/is-...

🇨🇦 As Canadians head to the polls, concerns about foreign interference and election fraud are rising.

CSDI researchers have been closely tracking these narratives throughout the campaign. Here’s a roundup of our recent contributions:

🧵⬇️

🇨🇦 Voter distrust is rising as disinfo clouds Canada’s 2025 election.

Chris Tenove (@cjten.bsky.social) unpacks what’s behind it—from pencil conspiracies to foreign interference hype.

Based on new research b/w CSDI and CDMRN.

Canada's Federal Election: Expert Opinion on Foreign Interference, Misinformation and Democracy | School of Public Policy and Global Affairs SPPGA faculty members speak out on foreign interferences and misinformation impacting the results of Canada's upcoming election in an unprecedented manner.

As Canada heads toward an April 28 federal election, threats of foreign interference and misinformation loom. @cjten.bsky.social & @heiditworek.bsky.social offer expert opinion on what foreign interference is and how it can affect elections sppga.ubc.ca/news/foreign...

Exactly. The button stunt was straightforward disinformation - an intentionally deceptive action with the aim of harming another party. Appallingly bad judgment.

The call for papers for the APSA Political Communication Preconference in Vancouver is now open!

Together with @ashleymuddiman.bsky.social and @patyrossini.bsky.social, we're thrilled to invite your submissions.

📅: May 25th, 2025, 11.59pm PDT (GMT-7)

More information: u.osu.edu/apsa2025/

Return of on-campus early voting spurs hopes more ballots will be cast by young adults | CBC News On-campus early voting, cancelled during the last federal election, is returning to Manitoba next week, and after a dip in the number of young people who cast their ballots in 2021, it's hoped more Ca...

As youth voting returns to campuses, so do the challenges of navigating election info online.

CSDI’s Heidi Tworek (@heiditworek.bsky.social) speaks to CBC about how misinformation on private messaging apps is shaping Canada’s information environment.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

China's interference tactics in Canada always changing, says target Douglas Todd: Sometimes China interferes by launching attacks on politicians. Other times it is complimentary, say former MP.

📰 In the Vancouver Sun (@vancouversun.bsky.social) , Chris Tenove (@cjten.bsky.social) explains why China’s tactics are constantly shifting—from attacks to praise—and how even positive messages can distort democratic choice.

🔗 Read: vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...

Chris Tenove @cjten.bsky.social & Prof @heiditworek.bsky.social write about foreign interference that pose a risk to Canada’s election, including the enduring harm of disinformation campaigns to our nation’s democratic health. More @theconversation.com: theconversation.com/foreign-inte...

If you want to report foreign interference in the Canadian election, there’s a form on the website of the Commissioner of Canada Elections: #cdnpoli www.cef-cce.ca/content.asp?...

YouTube video by Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions Webinar | Municipal Matters: Building Capacity for Local Climate Conversations

Missed the launch of our new report, Municipal Matters? Watch it here! The CSDI team was joined by special guests Amber Bennett (Re.Climate) and Rosalind Donald (American University) to discuss paths forward for local governments facing climate change misinformation.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow7R...