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Center for News, Technology & Innovation

@cnti.bsky.social

The Center for News, Technology & Innovation (CNTI) is an independent global research center, seeking to encourage independent, sustainable media, maintain an open internet and foster informed public policy conversations.

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Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · last wk.

🚨 New from CNTI: Not all harmful content is illegal. That’s the “lawful but awful” dilemma — legal content that still causes real harm, with no clear consensus on what counts as “harmful” or who decides. CNTI’s new primer digs in. 🔗 cnti.org/issue-primers/addressing-lawful-but-awful-content/

Addressing “Lawful but Awful” Content

What are the best ways to manage online content that is “lawful but awful”?

cnti.org

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · last mo.

Can AI make investigative journalism better? It depends. Our latest briefing breaks down 44 studies to understand the opportunities and barriers. 🔗: cnti.org/briefing/ai-...

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 2mo ago

New op-ed from Chris Roper (CEO, @codeforafrica.bsky.social), drawing from our new report on South Africa indie info providers, produced in partnership with CfA. 🔗: www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026...

News creators are on the up as legacy media dies in SA

With as many as one in four South Africans getting their news from individuals rather than organisations, a report looks at these people to understand how they fit into a changing media landscape.…

dailymaverick.co.za

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@dancorder.bsky.social breaks down our latest report on South African indie info providers. 🇿🇦 Full report: cnti.org/reports/sout...

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Meet our panel 👇 June 1 with News Creator Corps: No Newsroom, No Problem: Building Credibility on Your Own 🎙️ @philedwardsinc.bsky.social 🎙️ @rlobdell.bsky.social 🎙️ @drnycnerd.bsky.social 🎙️ @yafavtrashman.bsky.social RSVP: zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Audiences aren't just consuming news anymore — they're looking for what to do with it. So? A chatbot is often the one answering that question. Also, people call chatbots "friend" or "guru" and forgive their mistakes, but criticize any bias or error in news media. Find full report🔗 bit.ly/4nsdGTD

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Build credibility as an indie news creator. 🎙️ Join CNTI & News Creator Corp (NCC) for a free webinar on the future of independent media. 📅 June 1, 2026 🕛 12 PM EST RSVP: bit.ly/4uKLI8d @rlobdell.bsky.social @yafavtrashman.bsky.social @philedwardsinc.bsky.social @drnycnerd.bsky.social

A blue and yellow promotional graphic for a free webinar titled "NO NEWSROOM, NO PROBLEM: Building Credibility on Your Own."

The image is organized as follows:

Top: The logos for CNTI and news creator corps are in the upper right. A yellow banner on the left reads "CNTI AND NCC PRESENT."

Center: Large white and yellow text announces the webinar title, followed by a description: "Indie info providers, creator-journalists, news creators — whatever you call them, they're reshaping how communities get news. How do they build credibility with audiences, and what can their pathways tell us about the future of independent media?"

Bottom: A yellow footer contains icons for a calendar, a clock, and an envelope. It lists the date as JUNE 1, 2026, the time as 12-1 PM EST, and a call to action: "RSVP: LINK IN BIO."

Alt Text for Image
A blue promotional graphic titled "MEET OUR PANEL," featuring headshots and bios for five speakers.

The slide is organized into two rows of portraits set against yellow or light blue squares:

Top Row (Panelists)
Rachel Lobdell: A woman with long red hair, identified as the Executive Director of News Creator Corps.

Terrill Haigler: A man wearing red glasses and a black hoodie with "Ya Fav" on it, identified as a community activist known online as "Ya Fav Trashman."

Phil Edwards: A man with glasses and a mustache, identified as an independent "edutainer" and YouTuber.

Bottom Row (Panelist & Moderator)
Jay Barchas-Lichtenstein: A person with short purple hair and a blue blazer, identified as the Senior Research Manager at CNTI.

Amy Mitchell: A woman with short blonde hair and glasses, featured under a dark blue "MODERATED BY" tag. She is identified as the Executive Director of CNTI.

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Our briefing, by @afroozmsl.bsky.social, looks at #Iran as both a distinctive case and a microcosm of the global threats to press and internet freedom, including the country's internet blackout, the longest sustained nation-scale shutdown ever tracked in a highly connected society. bit.ly/42Tg24v

A graphic titled "Our Latest Work" on a textured cream and blue background. The left side features the headline "Internet Shutdowns, Press Freedom and the Global Information Crisis: Iran as a Case Study" by Afrooz Mosallaei. Below, a section titled "Why is this important?" explains that Iran is experiencing the longest sustained national-scale internet blackout ever tracked in a highly connected society. The right side features a blue column with a large quotation mark and a quote about the "collapse of the information environment" and the violation of the right to access the internet. At the bottom right, an illustration shows the Iranian flag above a desk filled with a laptop, newspapers, a microphone, and severed electronic cables.

A graphic titled in blue, "More on Iran as a Case Study," presented on a textured cream background. The content is organized into three stacked horizontal blue boxes, each paired with a circular blue icon on the left. The top box shows a globe icon and the text, "Inside Iran, connectivity has become a privilege." The middle box shows an eye icon and the text, "Experts call the Iran War the first conflict in which synthetic visuals dominate." The bottom box shows a 'prohibited' diagonal line icon and the text, "Neighboring countries, Israel, and the U.S. have all introduced measures to restrict reporting on the war." The bottom of the graphic has a light blue bar with the text, "Full briefing online at cnti.org".

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 3mo ago

World Press Freedom Day was May 3, but at CNTI, Press Freedom is central to our work. Each year, this day serves as a moment to recognize the journalists who hold power to account, reflect on the state of press freedom worldwide and renew the commitment to protect it. 🔗 cnti.org/topics/press...

A graphic with a light beige, textured background featuring a blue line-art outline of a world map in the center. Text at the top reads: "May 3, 2026 marked the 33rd anniversary of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD)." At the bottom, a solid blue horizontal banner contains white text stating: "An independent press and an open internet are critical to the future of functioning, free societies. However, press freedom is facing unprecedented threats around the world."

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 3mo ago

🧭 What does independence really mean for indie journalists? In our new guest essay, Ben Werdmuller explores how leaving newsrooms often leads to a new dependence on tech platforms. He argues for more collaborative structures to break this cycle. Find full slides in comments. 🔗 bit.ly/4uh6f4d

Carousel graphic from CNTI titled "Navigating the Social Media Minefield". The image features a side-by-side comparison of "Gated Pathways" (Centralized Networks) and "Open Networks" (Bluesky, Mastodon). On the left, a red path is blocked by various obstacles representing TikTok and X (link suppression), Facebook (charges for access to your own audience), and Instagram (poor conversion). On the right, a clear blue path leads to a vibrant community hub with a speech bubble stating, "Smaller systems; foster more engagement and subscriptions". This is the fourth slide of a 6-part series.

Carousel graphic 3/6 from CNTI titled "The Spectrum of Creator Independence". The image features a side-by-side comparison of "Centralized Services" (Substack, Beehiiv) and "Open Source" (Ghost, WordPress) using a toolbox metaphor. On the left, a hand is restricted by glowing digital bands while reaching into a toolbox labeled "Platform Workflow Control," accompanied by text stating these services control workflows, subscribers, and revenue. On the right, a free hand holds tools and a hard drive labeled "Portable Audience Data," with text explaining that open source lets you take your content and audience with you. This is the third slide of a 6-part series, featuring a quote from Ben Werdmuller: "With open source, it’s easier 'to choose another vendor and take your content and relationships with you.'"

Carousel graphic 2/6 from CNTI titled "The New Paradox of Independence". The image features a stylized illustration of a female journalist running away from a "Traditional Newsroom" building and into a glass "Tech Platforms" cage that contains a computer terminal and multiple social media icons. This is the second slide of a 6-part series, and an arrow points to the next slide with the text "Swipe to see The Spectrum of Creator Independence". A blue quote box below the illustration contains a direct quote from author Ben Werdmuller: "Many indie providers left newsrooms for freedom, but quickly built a new dependence on tech companies that may not share their values."

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 4mo ago

CNTI studied U.S. indie info providers and found a landscape of mission-driven creators who are redefining trust, but often feel isolated and rarely earn a profit. 📉 Read and watch our report to hear from the creators. 🧵 cnti.org/reports/unde... Thanks to: @lenfestinstitute.org #Journalism #CNTI

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Our ED Amy Mitchell joins @journalismfestival.com to discuss "Creators and the future of journalism: insights on infrastructure building from the US and South Africa." 📅 Thu Apr 16 | 5PM 📍 Perugia 🇮🇹 🎥 Live-stream & on-demand available! More info: bit.ly/4tySaP9 #CNTI #IJF26 #Journalism #FutureOfNews

A screenshot of the International Journalism Festival website for a session titled "Creators and the future of journalism: insights on infrastructure building from the US and South Africa." The page features headshots and titles of five speakers: Justin Arenstein (Code for Africa), Justin Bank (The Independent Journalism Atlas), Dave Jorgenson (Local News International), Amy Mitchell (Center for News, Technology & Innovation), and Liz Kelly Nelson (Project C). Below the speakers is a text description discussing the rise of creator-model journalists and the logistical challenges they face, such as lack of liability insurance and healthcare. The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Palazzo Graziani in Perugia, Italy.

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 4mo ago

While India has 886M internet users, only 1.5M (0.2%) pay for digital news. The ad-based model is shrinking, especially with government funding dependency. CNTI guest Rudra Kasturi analyzes what's working—and what’s not—for global markets. 🧵 1/5 Find the 5/5 in comments.

A title slide featuring a portrait of Rudra Kasturi, a CNTI Guest Author. The background includes an outline of India with a large orange question mark and a graphic showing a declining trend line. The text reads: "Who Pays for Local News in India and why the answer should matter to every journalism market in the world."

An infographic titled "The Reality." It shows that while India has 886 million internet users and a $29B media industry, only 1.5 million people pay for digital news. A pie chart highlights that paid digital news subscribers represent less than 0.2% of the total online population. A quote from Rudra Kasturi notes this is a "window into a problem" other journalism markets are heading toward.

An infographic titled "The Slow Poison of Advertising" explaining structural weaknesses. It notes that approximately 90% of revenue comes from advertising. A graphic shows that the Indian government spent nearly $1 billion on media ads from 2022–25. The text warns that without this spend, many regional outlets would not survive, compromising editorial independence. A quote reads: "The reader was never the customer. The reader was the product."

An infographic titled "The Affordability Myth" debunking the idea that Indian citizens cannot afford news. It shows illustrations of people paying for streaming content and mobile data at scale. A balance scale shows "Value Journalism" as being "barely valued." The text states that readers were never taught to value journalism enough to pay for it. A quote from Rudra Kasturi concludes: "The path to reader revenue runs through habit, not price."

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 5mo ago

🇮🇳 📰 Our Senior Research Fellow, Prabhat Mishra, was on the ground at the India AI Impact Summit last month to track the shifting news economy. Leaders from major news orgs examined the structural pressures GenAI is placing on journalism. Read more: https://bit.ly/4dcepVY #Journalism #AI #CNTI

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 5mo ago

While AI is being used in newsrooms, formal rules about its use are not yet universal. New research from CNTI’s Global AI & Journalism Working Group reveals that when there are policies, newsrooms prioritize transparency, human supervision and human verification of outputs. Find more bit.ly/4rPqLrC

AI Newsroom Policies: Intent vs. Reality
ALT Text: A high-contrast informational slide titled "AI Newsroom Policies: Intent vs. Reality." A large blue and gray circular progress bar prominently displays "80%." Text clarifies that 80% of Global South journalists report having no formal AI policy in their newsrooms as of late 2024. Supporting graphics include icons of a news microphone, newspaper, and a digital monitor labeled "Daily News," framed by blue circuit-board patterns. A call to action at the bottom reads, "Swipe to see the gaps."

The Gaps in AI Guidelines
ALT Text: An educational slide titled "The Gaps in AI Guidelines" featuring a split-color background of light gray and blue. It lists three primary gaps: 1) Vague Terminology, noting that guidelines often use terms like "appropriate use" without concrete definitions; 2) Output vs. Systems, explaining that focus remains on what AI produces rather than the underlying algorithms; and 3) Subtle Biases, stating that newsrooms are failing to audit invisible biases in third-party tools. A taped-on note graphic provides an example: AI translation tools assuming doctors are men and nurses are women.

The Challenge of Platform Dependency
ALT Text: A darker-themed slide titled "The Challenge of Platform Dependency" featuring an illustration of large gray blocks representing platform companies connected by heavy chains to a small "Newsroom" icon. Text boxes highlight three key points: 1) Increasing Reliance on major platform companies for news production; 2) Contractual Asymmetry, noting that developers can change terms of service without notice; and 3) Subtle Editorial Influence, where third-party algorithms can influence editorial decisions. A bottom banner notes the "Small Player" Reality, stating only the wealthiest newsrooms can afford to build safer, local tools.

Actionable Steps for Newsrooms
ALT Text: A final summary slide titled "Actionable Steps for Newsrooms" with an upward-trending green arrow in the background. It outlines a three-step roadmap: Step 1 is to Operationalize Policies by integrating them into daily workflows; Step 2 is Inclusive Creation, involving stakeholders with diverse backgrounds to create stronger policies; and Step 3 is The Human-in-the-Loop, prioritizing human supervision as a practical safety measure. The "Bottom Line" at the bottom emphasizes that policies must be specific and prioritize accountability. A button reads "Read the Full Briefing at cnti.org."

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 5mo ago

“Collaboration is actually survival.” Local and international journalists gathered to discuss the current freedom of the press situation, a shift from physical threats to institutional pressure. Learn more: “The Fight for Press Freedoms Around the World” cnti.org/event-outtak... #journalism

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 5mo ago

New from CNTI: "Newsroom Policies for AI in Journalism" Our briefing synthesized 30 research papers about AI governance in newsrooms. One key takeaway: Newsroom policies on new technologies tend to emphasize principles & values but don't always offer guidance. Read more: cnti.org/reports/news...

Newsroom Policies for AI in Journalism

The third briefing from the AI and Journalism Research Working Group finds that organizational AI policies tend to prioritize principles and values over practical guidance.

cnti.org

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Reminder: Join CNTI & All Tech is Human tomorrow at noon ET to understand how people use AI chatbots to get news and for personal companionship. RSVP 👇https://events.zoom.us/ev/As76hezfTPH7k_RVURXnRdTLzzQ69Xc6DjzzpSD2-GxQDXNMfmXm~At8zRCbTwL0-2AZDGY5DyBTrngRMrMiqh4D-COuJowkAtG4KPfrSCUH6gA

AI Companions and Chatbots

events.zoom.us

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Join us and @alltechishuman.bsky.social on Feb. 5 at noon ET for a livestream discussion about how people actually use AI chatbots for news and companionship. RSVP 👇 events.zoom.us/ev/As76hezfT...

AI Companions and Chatbots

events.zoom.us

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 6mo ago

On "(Re)Structured News," Gina Chua explores CNTI's Chatbot study. "AI systems don’t just personalize news...they helped readers make sense of it in their own personal context." See more of her thoughts here and be sure to read the study! restructurednews.substack.com/p/you-talkin...

You Talkin’ To Me?

Why do people trust chatbots more than they trust humans?

restructurednews.substack.com

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 6mo ago

In a CNTI guest essay by Upasna Gautam, she explores how journalism can meet this moment: "Success in this new reality will belong to the leaders who can hold two seemingly opposing forces in balance: a relentless commitment to truth and a fearless embrace of innovation." cnti.org/guest-essay/...

The Hardware of Democracy: Upgrading Journalism’s Next Operating System

We are navigating a fundamental shift in how people consume and verify reality. The modern crisis of trust stems from an architecture that has outpaced our collective ability to process information......

cnti.org

Nieman Lab @niemanlab.org · 6mo ago

Even when they talked about chronic factual errors and complained about chatbots failing to provide up-to-date information, interviewees were quick to forgive chatbots and continue using them to stay informed. www.niemanlab.org/2026/01/peop...

People who use chatbots for news consider them unbiased and “good enough,” new study finds

Frequent users in the U.S. and India say they trust chatbots despite factual errors and outdated information.

niemanlab.org

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Join us for a livestream conversation about our new AI Chatbot report and @alltechishuman.bsky.social new report on AI Companions. Details are below - register here to be a part of the discussion - lnkd.in/eBKfZk_t.

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 7mo ago

🤖Why are people using AI for news? A new @cnti.bsky.social report shows users in the US & India are swapping news sites for AI “concierges” to turn headlines into action. Key finding: Users want info they can act on, not just know. See the full report: bit.ly/4bGNeSw #CNTI #chatbots

Action, Ease & Personalization: AI Chatbot News Experiences

How habitual AI chatbot users in the US and India stay informed

bit.ly

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 7mo ago

As digital platforms expand journalism’s reach, reporters are more exposed to new and escalating forms of online abuse. CNTI’s updated primer explores the policy choices that need to be made to strengthen protections. 👉 Read the primer: cnti.org/issue-primer... #PressFreedom #JournalismSafety

Journalists & Online Abuse

How can we better protect the press from online harassment and abuse?

cnti.org

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 8mo ago

📊 New research alert: We analyzed AI policies across every world region to map their impact on journalism. Only 20 of 188 documents mention "journalist" or "news," but all will reshape the information landscape. Read more: bit.ly/4s7nVPq #JournalismNewFrontier

Journalism’s New Frontier: An Analysis of Global AI Policy Proposals and Their Impacts on Journalism

CNTI analyzed 188 national and regional AI strategies, laws and policies that collectively cover more than 99 countries to determine how AI regulation is impacting journalism around the world.

bit.ly

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 8mo ago

“To be successful, news information producers will need to conduct a smart market analysis to determine the demand, demographics, economics and startup costs to launch.” Read Executive Director @asmitchell.bsky.social's prediction for journalism in @niemanlab.org. www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/jour...

Journalism producers will (re)see their product as a business

"To be successful, news information producers will need to conduct a smart market analysis to determine the demand, demographics, economics and startup costs to launch."

niemanlab.org

Thomson Foundation @thomsonfoundation.bsky.social · 8mo ago

How are newsrooms across the Western Balkans and Central Europe using AI with ethics at the centre? Thomson and @cnti.bsky.social gathered journalists in Sarajevo for two days of honest, practical exchange. Read more: bit.ly/4q7jBOn Images credit: Kayla Goodson/CNTI #Journalism #AI

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 8mo ago

CNTI and @thomsonfoundation.bsky.social hosted more than 35 journalists from the Western Balkans and Central Europe in Sarajevo to discuss the question, “How do we harness AI’s power to build a strong future for our work?” Read our takeaways here: cnti.org/event-outtak...

AI for Sustainability: Building Journalism’s Future

Innovations and insights from across the Western Balkans and Central Europe

cnti.org

Center for News, Technology & Innovation @cnti.bsky.social · 8mo ago

We've got a new look! Check out the brand new cnti.org.