Behind the “Kidney-harvest (Ga Yaozi)” Panic: Thailand-Focused Content Creators and the Spillover of Geopolitical Discourse on Chinese Platforms
In the age of algorithmic curation, even creators who seek to avoid politics may find themselves drawn into politicized online debates. Based on interviews with Thailand-focused content creators on Chinese digital platforms, Dr. Hai Wang and Yibin Fan examine how non-political creators (those producing content on lifestyle, language, travel, and leisure) navigate political spillover triggered by online rumors about organ harvesting, perceived dangers in Thailand, and rising nationalist sentiment among netizens. The talk explores the emotional and strategic responses they adopt, showing how these responses are shaped not merely by situational choice, but by creators’ positions, platform dependencies, and investments within the broader field of digital production.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Communications Building (CMU). Accessibility Contact: mjpowers@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Lectures/Seminars. Target Audience: Communications students, journalism students, public policy students, faculty.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
In Conversation with Miranda Spivack: Backroom Deals in Our Backyards
Join us for an insightful talk with veteran reporter and editor Miranda Spivack as she discusses her compelling new book, Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities—and the Local Heroes Fighting Back (The New Press, May 6, 2025).
In her book, Spivack shines a light on corruption close to home—uncovering how local governors, mayors, town councils, school boards, police, and prosecutors sometimes fail the very communities they serve. Through five eye-opening U.S. case studies, she introduces “accidental activists”—ordinary citizens who demanded answers when government officials failed to protect them.
From car crashes and unsafe drinking water to faulty safety equipment, Spivack’s investigative reporting reveals the hidden deals, lies, and cover-ups that often keep communities in the dark—and celebrates the local heroes who stand up for accountability and transparency.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Spivack about the stories behind her book and the crucial work of…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Communications Building (CMU). Campus room: CMU 226. Accessibility Contact: mjpowers@uw.edu. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars. Academics. Target Audience: Communications students, journalism students, public policy students, faculty.
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com.