News
Reports, Publications, Projects, Blog Posts & Podcasts from the Institute
Visualizing Regulatory Ecosystems: The AI Act as a Case Study
The article by Magdalena Stratmann, Tobias Mast, and others was developed as part of the STEAM project, "Informing Regulatory Reasoning on Algorithmic Systems in Societal Communication with STEAM." It introduces Architectural Ecosystem Modeling, a visual method that makes the institutional structures of the AI Act visible. This method analyzes responsibilities and dependencies and identifies gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for coordination within the regulatory framework.
Practices of News Avoidance and Their Implications for Public Connection
What are the effects of news avoidance on belonging to different publics and on political participation? And to what extent do these dynamics contribute to the fragmentation of public spheres? This study examines the effects of different practices of news avoidance on individuals‘ public connection.
Podcasts: Actors, Topics, and Misinformation
As audio media, such as podcasts, become more widely used, the risks of them distributing misinformation, disinformation, and fake news increase. The collaborative project “Systematic Observation of New Auditive Risks” (SONAR) examines the structure of online audio media offerings and develops methods for identifying relevant narratives and manipulation strategies.
That Was Our Open House
On Friday, April 17, we opened our doors to our supporters and partners, as well as to our new neighbors. We truly enjoyed presenting our research activities and outreach programs, as well as giving visitors a firsthand experience of our new location, which is designed for agile working methods and cutting-edge research.
Thoughts on the Debate Over Media Bans
Dr. Claudia Lampert, together with Klaus Lutz (Parabol Media Center), edited the latest issue of the media education journal “merz” (2/2026). The issue is titled “Everything Under Control? Thoughts on the Debate Over Media Bans.” Dr. Stephan Dreyer also contributed an article.
Annual Report 2023-2025
Evaluation, growth, our 75th anniversary, and a new building. The years from 2023 to 2025 were challenging yet fruitful. Our research output was impressive, and our social impact was significant. This annual report provides a brief overview of our activities.
Determinants of Verification Behavior in Generative Search
Generative AI is being increasingly integrated into search engines, but it has been criticized for producing content that sounds plausible yet is sometimes inaccurate. Little is currently known about the factors that prompt users to verify these responses. The study by Eva-Luise Knor, Michael V. Reiss, Judith Möller, and Lisa Merten addresses this knowledge gap.
Platforms, Online Surveillance, and the European Union: The Digital Services Act (DSA)
In their open-access article, Prof. Dr. Judith Möller, Ronan Ó Fathaigh, Bengi Zeybek, and Rocco Bellanova explore how the DSA facilitates public and private surveillance practices regarding content disseminated on online platforms.
M&K 2/2026 Has Been Published
The February 2026 issue of M&K features articles that explore the understanding of roles and the transformative potential of peripheral actors in the DACH region. Other articles examine developments in sports coverage in German daily newspapers from 2011 to 2021 and the usage patterns of ChatGPT, as well as anthropomorphic role attributions. You can download all of these articles free of charge.
Event dates
AI Suggestion Box at re:publica
18. May 2026This year’s re:publica is themed “Never Gonna Give You Up.” As part of the digital conference, Antonia Eichenauer and Jonah Wermter will present an AI suggestion box for concerns related to journalism. The box is a blend of artistic and scientific intervention.
Media freedom in the Age of AI and Disinformation
19. May 2026Prof. Dr. Judith Möller will participate as a panelist in the event "Don't Dis Democracy! Nordic Perspectives on Media Freedom in the Age of AI & Disinformation," which is being hosted by the Nordic embassies as part of the re:publica digital conference.
Media History Lunch Talks
21. May 2026The international research network Entangled Media Histories (EMHIS), of which the HBI is a partner, has organized an online seminar series for spring covering topics related to media history. On May 21, the focus will be on the interplay between sirens, the radio, and government information strategies in Sweden from 1930 to 1960.
The Role of the Media in Times of Democracy and Authoritarian Rule
22. May 2026Dr. Hans-Ulrich Wagner will speak at the “Forum on Democracy and the Culture of Remembrance” about the role of the media in the culture of remembrance. The event will explore the responsibilities of the media and its users, particularly in the context of a critical culture of remembrance.
Context Collapse
Social Diversity and Political Opinion Formation
28. May 2026How does political opinion formation take place in a diverse society? This issue of the Context Collapse salon series, hosted by the Hamburg section of the Research Institute Social Cohesion (RISC) in collaboration with Bücherhallen Hamburg, will explore this question. The discussion event will feature expert contributions from Jan Rau of the HBI and Hannah Göppert of the Open Society Initiative.
HH Media Symposium
Where Search and AI Converge – and the Media Might Fall Silent
25. June 2026What impact will the convergence of traditional internet search and generative artificial intelligence have on the information ecosystem? This question will be discussed at the 16th Hamburg Media Symposium, which is organized by the HBI, the Media Authority of Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein (MA HSH), and the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. More information about the program will be available shortly.