News
Reports, Publications, Projects, Blog Posts & Podcasts from the Institute
The Climate Discourse on Social Media
Most Germans are willing to do more to protect the climate, but concerns about the social and economic consequences of climate policy are widespread. This is one of the findings of the second Cohesion Report published by the Research Institute Social Cohesion (RISC). For this report, the Social Media Observatory examined the climate discourse on social media.
Summit Meeting: Europe Aims to Become More Digitally Sovereign
Matthias C. Kettemann is a guest on the ORF radio program "Punkt Eins" to discuss Europe's struggle for self-determination in the digital world and explain what law and ethics can achieve with new technologies on the occasion of the summit on Europe's digital sovereignty.
Who Is Responsible for Extreme Right-Wing Content on TikTok?
TikTok launched its shopping feature in the first EU countries at the end of 2024. Since February 2025, it has been available in Germany, allowing users to purchase products directly through the app. For TikTok, the app's shopping feature means increased brand growth and revenue.However, monetizing content raises specific legal questions: Who is liable when illegal products are sold? Matthias C. Kettemann has the answer.
News Usage, News Avoidance, and Digital Public Spheres
As part of Hamburg's Press Freedom Week, researchers from the HBI met with journalists to discuss the current challenges facing journalism, news avoidance, and the differences between journalism and influence.
Information Systems and Troubled Democracy
Internet freedom has declined for 14 consecutive years. This publication examines how principles for regulating information ecosystems are being implemented, as well as the challenges faced by public institutions and other stakeholders in their efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation.
New Code of Conduct for Human-Machine Decision-Making Processes in Content Moderation
Content moderation requires clear rules. The "Strengthening Trust" code of conduct, developed at HIIG under Matthias C. Kettemann's direction, uses ten guidelines to demonstrate how platforms can facilitate fairer and more transparent collaboration between humans and machines in content moderation. It is based on Kettemann's research at HBI.
Report of the Global Research Study “Worlds of Journalism”
The report of the Worlds of Journalism Study (WJS3) "Journalism under Duress" is now available open access. Based on responses from over 32,000 journalists in 75 countries, the report examines how journalists worldwide are dealing with risks, uncertainties, and changes in today's rapidly evolving media landscape.
Federal Minister Wildberger Visits Institutes for Digitalisation Research
Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation, Dr. Karsten Wildberger, met with the directors and scientific managers of the Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research (NIfD) at the Weizenbaum Institute on November 3, 2025, in Berlin. The discussion focused on the current research of the six institutes on the social impact of digitalization.
“Today Is the Best Time for Research”
In an interview with the online magazine LEIBNIZ, Dr. Christian Ollig talks about his research, his experiences as a young scientist, and his motivations. In the "30 around 30" section, the magazine asks young scientists about their attitudes toward life, their challenges, and their visions on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Leibniz Association.
Event dates
What Responsibility Do Platforms Bear for Young People’s Body Image?
27. November 2025Dr. Stephan Dreyer will give a presentation on “What Responsibility Do Platforms Bear for Young People’s Body Image?” at the 8th Media Competence Network Conference in Saxony-Anhalt.
TikTok Starter Workshop
2. December 2025The Social Media Observatory (SMO) at the Hamburg section of the Research Institute Social Cohesion (RISC) is hosting a workshop on TikTok. This two-day event will introduce participants to scientific work with TikTok data.
AI & Youth Protection
4. December 2025As part of the FSM Focus: AI & Youth Protection event series, Dr. Stephan Dreyer will speak on the topic of protection and risks posed by artificial intelligence.