Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Elizabeth Stokoe @lizstokoe.bsky.social · 23d

Scenes from a wild, wet, windy, wonderful Welsh weekend with @sabinamihelj.bsky.social

Estuary with sandbanks and mountains in the mist

Sun through dark cloud reflected over wet beach

Aquamarine sea over jetty with mountains and high clouds in a blue sky

Pale sunrise reflected in sea with dark grey clouds

2 5 72

Sabina Mihelj @sabinamihelj.bsky.social · Jul 23

For more on the Illiberal public sphere and its development over time, check our book share.google/A73Vc2t9wflD...

The Illiberal Public Sphere

This book uncovers the media's role in global illiberalism through cutting-edge analysis of recent developments in Eastern Europe.

share.google

1 1

Sabina Mihelj @sabinamihelj.bsky.social · Jul 23

www.lemonde.fr/idees/articl...

« En Europe de l’Est, ce sont souvent les médias traditionnels qui diffusent de fausses informations et promeuvent des idées illibérales »

TRIBUNE. Si les réseaux sociaux et les nouveaux médias sont souvent associés à la désinformation et à la propagande étrangère, dans des pays comme la Serbie ou la Hongrie ce sont davantage les acteurs...

www.lemonde.fr

1 1

Sabina Mihelj @sabinamihelj.bsky.social · Jul 23

We also point out that under certain conditions – namely, wherever the majority of the mainstream media market has been captured by illiberal political actors or their business allies – social media might act as channels of resistance against the forces of illiberalism.

1 1 2

Sabina Mihelj @sabinamihelj.bsky.social · Jul 23

If we consider how the political information environment changes as illiberalism gains strength, we see that it is often the traditional media and domestic actors – not social media and hostile foreign powers – that take the central role in spreadiing false information of illiberal ideas.

1 1 2

Sabina Mihelj @sabinamihelj.bsky.social · Jul 23

As democracy crumbles and authoritarianism gains ground around the world, digital media are increasingly being blamed for driving these developments. However, as I and @vstetka.bsky.social argue in a recent piece for Le Monde, the role of digital media in these developments is often exaggerated.

1 2 4

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

(Mis)Translating Deceit (AHRC-funded project) @m-deceit.bsky.social · Jun 18

Congratulations to @sabinamihelj.bsky.social and @vstetka.bsky.social for winning this prestigious award!

APSA & ICA Political Communication Divisions @polcomm.bsky.social · Jun 5

🎉 Excited to share the APSA Technology & Politics Section Award winners! 🏆

📚 Best Book

The Illiberal Public Sphere: Media in Polarized Societies
by @sabinamihelj.bsky.social & @vstetka.bsky.social. You can access it, it is in open access!

link.springer.com/book/10.1007...

🧵

The Illiberal Public Sphere

This book uncovers the media's role in global illiberalism through cutting-edge analysis of recent developments in Eastern Europe.

link.springer.com

1 4

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

(Mis)Translating Deceit (AHRC-funded project) @m-deceit.bsky.social · Jun 2

🚨New article written by Vera Tolz, @stevhutch.bsky.social, @vitalykaz.bsky.social, and Sofia Tipaldou, published in @icahdq.bsky.social - "Disinformation as Process: Modelling the Lifecycle of Disinformation". @uomsalc.bsky.social @sabinamihelj.bsky.social @neilsadler.bsky.social

1 4 5

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

APSA & ICA Political Communication Divisions @polcomm.bsky.social · Jun 5

🎉 Excited to share the APSA Technology & Politics Section Award winners! 🏆

📚 Best Book

The Illiberal Public Sphere: Media in Polarized Societies
by @sabinamihelj.bsky.social & @vstetka.bsky.social. You can access it, it is in open access!

link.springer.com/book/10.1007...

🧵

The Illiberal Public Sphere

This book uncovers the media's role in global illiberalism through cutting-edge analysis of recent developments in Eastern Europe.

link.springer.com

1 3 11

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Vaclav Stetka @vstetka.bsky.social · Jun 5

Truly honoured by this award for our book with @sabinamihelj.bsky.social🙏 Many thanks to APSA @apsaitp.bsky.social, as well as to almost 20k people who have accessed the book online so far! #illiberalism

APSA & ICA Political Communication Divisions @polcomm.bsky.social · Jun 5

🎉 Excited to share the APSA Technology & Politics Section Award winners! 🏆

📚 Best Book

The Illiberal Public Sphere: Media in Polarized Societies
by @sabinamihelj.bsky.social & @vstetka.bsky.social. You can access it, it is in open access!

link.springer.com/book/10.1007...

🧵

The Illiberal Public Sphere

This book uncovers the media's role in global illiberalism through cutting-edge analysis of recent developments in Eastern Europe.

link.springer.com

1 2 7

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Illiberalism Studies Program @illsp.bsky.social · Apr 3

If you missed yesterday's presentation by @vstetka.bsky.social and @sabinamihelj.bsky.social on their new book, The Illiberal Public Sphere, the full recording is now available on our YouTube!

youtu.be/ySHWGIbuB9U

The Illiberal Public Sphere: Media in Polarized Societies

YouTube video by Illiberalism Studies Program

youtu.be

1 3

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Vaclav Stetka @vstetka.bsky.social · Apr 4

It was a real pleasure to talk about our book with @sabinamihelj.bsky.social to such an engaged audience. Many thanks to Marlene Laruelle and @jchrobie.bsky.social for having us!

Illiberalism Studies Program @illsp.bsky.social · Apr 3

If you missed yesterday's presentation by @vstetka.bsky.social and @sabinamihelj.bsky.social on their new book, The Illiberal Public Sphere, the full recording is now available on our YouTube!

youtu.be/ySHWGIbuB9U

The Illiberal Public Sphere: Media in Polarized Societies

YouTube video by Illiberalism Studies Program

youtu.be

1 4

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Ben O'Loughlin @benoloughlin.bsky.social · May 6

Strategic narratives between global influence and local
appropriation: China’s COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy in
Serbia
New study by Ana Stojiljković & @sabinamihelj.bsky.social here: www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1...

www.tandfonline.com

1 2

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Illiberalism Studies Program @illsp.bsky.social · Mar 27

We're looking forward to this online event next week!

The Illiberal Public Sphere: Media in Polarized Societies with @vstetka.bsky.social & @sabinamihelj.bsky.social

🗓️ April 2, 2025
🕑 12:00-13:00 EDT
📍Online (Zoom)

Register here to join: tinyurl.com/5n6f82rd

Illiberalism Studies Program @illsp.bsky.social · Mar 21

Join us for an online presentation of a new book by @vstetka.bsky.social and @sabinamihelj.bsky.social: The Illiberal Public Sphere Media in Polarized Societies!

Hear about increasing #illiberalism, #polarization, and declining trust in mass media in CEE

Register here: tinyurl.com/5n6f82rd

1 2

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Prof. Sarah Mills @sarah-mills.bsky.social · Mar 18

An amazing @mgsesrcdtp.bsky.social Collaborative PhD @lborouniversity.bsky.social: "Digital Gaming/Gambling Harms and Students: Financial Literacy and the Transition to Adulthood". Sadly due to funding, now only available to Home fee status applicants. Deadline 23/04 @ 11am: tinyurl.com/mr4582zh

PhD Studentship: Digital Gaming/Gambling Harms and Students: Financial Literacy and the Transition to Adulthood at Midlands Graduate School Doctoral Training Partnership

Discover a PhD Studentship: Digital Gaming/Gambling Harms and Students: Financial Literacy and the Transition to Adulthood on jobs.ac.uk. Apply now and explore other PhD opportunities.

www.jobs.ac.uk

5 6

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Illiberalism Studies Program @illsp.bsky.social · Mar 21

Join us for an online presentation of a new book by @vstetka.bsky.social and @sabinamihelj.bsky.social: The Illiberal Public Sphere Media in Polarized Societies!

Hear about increasing #illiberalism, #polarization, and declining trust in mass media in CEE

Register here: tinyurl.com/5n6f82rd

3 4

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Elizabeth Stokoe @lizstokoe.bsky.social · Mar 9

We thought the skies were too hazy for a good #sunset but the colours were wonderful just after the sun disappeared - @sabinamihelj.bsky.social and I watched with a cuppa at Beacon Hill #Loughborough

Yellow orange and pink streaks of cloud in blue skies across low hills and a stone wall plus bare trees

Yellow orange and pink streaks of cloud in blue skies across low hills and bare trees

Yellow orange red and pink streaks of cloud in blue skies across bare trees

Deep red clouds in a pale blue sky with bare trees in the foreground

2 9 120

Sabina Mihelj @sabinamihelj.bsky.social · Mar 6

Congratulations 👏

1

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Vaclav Stetka @vstetka.bsky.social · Mar 6

🎉 Delighted to learn I have been awarded funding for comparative, mixed-methods research on Russian #disinformation in Poland, Romania & Serbia, with Fanni Toth @durhamuniversity.bsky.social as Co-I, & in collaboration with @m-deceit.bsky.social @sabinamihelj.bsky.social @stevehutchings.bsky.social

2 1 9

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Vaclav Stetka @vstetka.bsky.social · Feb 21

Deadline approaching soon for this unique PhD studentship, supervised by @sabinamihelj.bsky.social and myself, in collaboration with @bbcmediaaction.bsky.social - if you are interested in researching disinformation in the #Baltics, #Afghanistan or #Libya, do apply by 24 February!

Sabina Mihelj @sabinamihelj.bsky.social · Jan 20

📣 We have a fully funded #PhD place available at the Communication & Media Department @lborocrcc.bsky.social at Loughborough University, in collaboration with BBC Media Action and supported by the Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP.

3 2

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Elizabeth Stokoe @lizstokoe.bsky.social · Feb 17

Back in #Leicestershire for a chilly but beautiful hazy #sunset at the Beacon with @sabinamihelj.bsky.social ❄️

Orange sunset in pale skies with grey streaks of cloud and bare trees in silhouette

Orange sunset in pale skies with grey streaks of cloud and the Beacon in the foreground

Orange sunset in pale skies with grey streaks of cloud and rocks and bare trees in silhouette

1 1 34

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Vaclav Stetka @vstetka.bsky.social · Feb 9

"Wonderfully structured and accessible, it appeals not only to
scholars but also to the broader democratic public grappling with the question: 'What on earth is happening to democracy?'”
Delighted to read such a nice review of our book! @sabinamihelj.bsky.social
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

1 6

Sabina Mihelj @sabinamihelj.bsky.social · Feb 3

Thank you, Ben!

1

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Ben O'Loughlin @benoloughlin.bsky.social · Feb 3

Three stages of a liberal public sphere being replaced by an #illiberal one. Very useful framework from @vstetka.bsky.social & @sabinamihelj.bsky.social - all we see happening in the US fits. Q = how to win the struggle against it? Needs creativity and will: www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstr...

www.ssoar.info

2 2 4

Reposted by Sabina Mihelj

Vaclav Stetka @vstetka.bsky.social · Feb 3

Still 3 week to apply for this unique PhD studentship at our Communication & Media Department @lborocrcc.bsky.social, in collaboration with #BBC @bbcmediaaction.bsky.social - if you are interested in researching disinformation in the #Baltics, #Afghanistan or #Libya, we would love to hear from you!

Sabina Mihelj @sabinamihelj.bsky.social · Jan 20

📣 We have a fully funded #PhD place available at the Communication & Media Department @lborocrcc.bsky.social at Loughborough University, in collaboration with BBC Media Action and supported by the Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP.

2 2