Beyond the Feed: Social Media in Focus

Today, a growing share of the public receives news and information not from traditional media outlets, but through social media platforms and moderated by their underlying algorithms. These systems hold vast amounts of personal data, anticipate user behavior, and shape the information environment at an unprecedented scale. With this influence come significant societal risks — from political manipulation and coordinated disinformation to online radicalization, filter bubbles, and echo chambers. Yet, journalists still lack tools, methods, and know-how to examine how these platforms shape what people see and believe.

This half-day online seminar introduces you to innovative methods and databases essential for conducting data-driven social media investigations and shedding light into a complex ecosystem. Drawing on real-world examples from our team’s collaborations with international media (such as our work with Zeit Online during the German federal election), we will demonstrate practical approaches for investigating platforms with techno-legal methods and tooling.

Core Seminar Insights

• Why new investigative methods and approaches are crucial when studying systemic risks resulting from social media

• How to leverage the GDPR and use Data Donations for journalistic purpose?

• How to leverage the DSA and Ad & Transparency Databases (e.g., for Facebook, TikTok) to identify advertisers, shadow campaigns, and political spending?

• What are practical tips, tricks, and challenges that others have found and encountered in computational journalism?

Why Participate?

• Up-to-date research and practical insights to investigate social media platforms

• Practical knowledge to leverage GDPR Data Donations, Ad Databases, and new DSA Transparency Tools in your own work

• Grow your network and discuss with like-minded journalists and activists interested in understanding what is going on behind our feeds

Speakers and Facilitators

• Prof. Dr. Simon Mayer, Computer Science, University of St.Gallen

• Prof. Dr. Aurelia Tamò-Larrieux, Digital Law, University of Lausanne

• Luka Bekavac, PhD Candidate in Computer Science, University of St.Gallen

• Alice Palmieri, PhD Candidate in Law, University of Lausanne

Requirements

No advanced computer skills are required. Participants must have a stable Internet connection and an individual computer (not a tablet or phone)