Experts available: partial government shutdown, social media lawsuits, fourth anniversary of Ukraine War
The Virginia Tech media relations office has the following experts available for interviews this week surrounding issues in the news, including the partial federal government shutdown over homeland security funding, social media companies on trial in child addiction cases, the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and more. To schedule an interview, please contact mediarelations@vt.edu.
Virginia Tech experts available to discuss headlines in the news
Congress deadlocked over homeland security funding
While lawmakers remain at an impasse over renewing funds to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the department, for the most part, continues to operate, with workers going without pay. Political experts Karen Hult and Cayce Myers can provide context for this latest shutdown drama.
Social media giants accused of engineering child addiction
In a court trial now underway, the plaintiffs accuse corporate giants Meta and YouTube of intentionally engineering their products to make children become addicted. Social media expert Megan Duncan and political communications expert Cayce Myers discussed the implications for consumers and public policy. “We can put these lawsuits into the larger context of increased attention by society and governments on the effects of social media on the lives of teens,” Duncan said. More here.
Russian invasion of Ukraine approaching fourth anniversary
Feb. 24 will mark the fourth anniversary of the Ukraine War, with new peace talks unlikely to pan out. “Vladimir Putin, the person solely responsible for launching this disaster, thought it would be wrapped up in a few days,” says foreign policy expert Gerard Toal. “The result has been devastating for ordinary people, for Ukraine, Russia, the European Union, and for our collective planetary future.” Toal can discuss the ongoing conflict and its consequences, as can international affairs expert Yannis Stivachtis.
