As social media disinformation grows, academics are studying its harms. But big-tech funding at universities is creating a fraught power dynamic that recently erupted at Harvard, where a researcher claimed Meta forced her ouster amid critical research.

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Silicon Valley tech giants, including Google and Facebook parent Meta, are increasingly influential at universities across the United States, with ramped-up charitable giving. The donations can give the companies influence over academics studying critical topics such as artificial intelligence, social media and disinformation.

But as technology reporter Joseph Menn explains, some researchers are raising concerns that increasing dependence on tech companies’ funding can create a troubling power dynamic. Recently, a disinformation researcher, Joan Donovan, filed complaints with state and federal officials against Harvard University. Donovan claims that the personal connections of Meta executives — along with a $500 million grant for research — were behind her ouster this year from the Harvard Kennedy School. Harvard has denied that it was improperly influenced. 

Today’s show was produced by Arjun Singh. It was mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Monica Campbell. Thank you to Mark Seibel. 

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