Thread by @mediaghosts

This research will explore online harassment of journalists covering politics here in the United States and the chilling effect of the hostile online work environment & describe the ways in which social media are weaponized before the U.S. Presidential elections in November 2020.

That's what was on the data servers seized...and returned (maybe) by @FAMU_1887 @FAMUsjgc82. Guess what state I live in.

Beyond rhetorical tools like #hashtags, emojis, symbolism, memes and use of other hate, racism, misogynistic content to target journalists, we find more sophisticated uses of social technologies to organize targeted attacks against journalists.

Research into the weaponization of social media in the 2016 election demonstrated the strategic use of algorithmic manipulation, coordinated activity and the growing dark web communities recruiting, training and deploying bots, sockpuppets & other amplification tools to sow hate.

These U.S. journalists, 58 percent, also said that the current U.S. attacks on journalists and claims of “fake news” have also been a contributing factor to their attacks, compared to 46 percent of their colleagues working abroad. Ferrier, Michelle. Attacks and Harassment 2018.

This research also took me into examining educational technologies to comply with FERPA and other privacy regulations for student data. What I found in these investigations was shocking: tinyurl.com/ToxicAvenger02…

I've continued to use social tools to amplify the safety risks and violence that continues at @FAMU_1887 sanctioned. To seed the timeline with breadcrumbs of the backhanded manipulations of data, equipment, employment, "investigations" and life to do this research.

Like today’s sleight off hand🤨 My press release from…months ago is finally « acknowledged » by @FAMU_1887 provost in an image, y’all. Sent to the campus community but not me🧐 Totally not searchable in the digital record… until now… here’s the transcript…for the record:…

Here we go:"FAMU Professor Receives Grant to Continue Safety Training for Journalists" [original press release dated 6 /17/22]: "Michelle Ferrier, Ph.D., professor for Florida A&M University's (FAMU) School of Journalism and Graphic Communication, recently received a $100K grant.

...from the Democracy Fund Voice for her work with TrollBusters, a safety and digital resilience training program for journalists. This new investment follows matching grants awarded in 2020 and 2021, as well as an award-winning year for Ferrier and her impactful, innovative work

...through her online safety initiatives. Media Innovation Collaboratory, founded TrollBusters in 2015 after receiving hate mail while working as a columnists (sic) and later while working as an educator in higher education.

[Image addition mine] Since 2015, TrollBusters has provided professional development to journalists, media workers and students on the growing hostilities toward their work. Ferrier also provides advice on how best to safely address and report online harassment.

Ferrier has been lauded nationally and internationally for her work and presented her research earlier this year at the United Nations' World Press Freedom Day. The conference focused on the multiple ways in which journalism is endangered by surveillance and...

...digitally-mediated attacks on journalists, and the adverse consequences related to public trust in digital communications... [cue Edward R. Murrow, RTNDA speech]...

In addition to TrollBusters international recognition, the organization received three silver awards from Anthem Awards, including an award for Toxic Avenger, a new monthly magazine distributed under the TrollBusters brand. [Image addition mine]

Ferrier, a full professor, is especially interested in preparing the next generation of journalists. Last year, she produced a student handbook to prepare students to cover political activity in the digital age. [Links mine: tinyurl.com/TBStudentEduca…]

[links mine: tinyurl.com/studentpress]

Back to the image story: "Online threats have culminated in physical violence against journalists. I want journalists to be prepared, be safe, and continue telling the stories that hold power to account," Ferrier said. ...

"Democracy Fund Voice has been a solid partner with TrollBusters, helping us deepen and broaden our work with journalists and media workers," Ferrier said. "TrollBusters has been...providing educational support, training, and awareness to help journalists navigate online harms...

...and stay safe telling crucial stories." Ferrier who also serves as executive director of the Media Innovation Collaboratory, founded TrollBusters in 2015 after receiving hate mail while working as a columnist and later while working as an educator and leader @FAMU_1887 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

So that's what's in the image sent out this morning, folks. Technically, promoted the work🤷🏾‍♀️, but refused to acknowledge it to get me back on payroll and seized equipment still unaccounted for with *said* lauded research. So, NO you don't get to count this for accreditation.

@threadreaderapp unroll

Here’s the article in the June issue of Toxic Avenger magazine: google.com/url?q=https://…

Let’s try this one: tinyurl.com/ToxicAvenger06…