Service / Media
Popular Press & Practitioner Publications
Spikes, M.A. (2025).
The Challenge of Declining Local News. Chapter in
Overcoming Information Chaos. Upriver Press.
Spikes, M. A. (2024, September 24).
Don’t share that! An expert on how to protect yourself from racist disinformation campaigns. The Emancipator.
http://theemancipator.org/2024/09/24/topics/technology/dont-share-that-an-expert-on-how-to-protect-yourself-from-racist-disinformation-campaigns/
Spikes, M. A. (2024, September 10).
Support “scholastic journalism” to boost civic engagement, media literacy in youth. Chicago Sun-Times.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2024/09/10/civic-engagement-media-literacy-youth-schools-scholastic-journalism-michael-spikes-northwestern
Spikes, M. A. (2024).
Social-media influence on teen mental health goes beyond just cause and effect. Nature, 629(8013), 757–757.
https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01488-5 .
American Library Association. (2024, Mar 22). Architecture of the Internet Programming Guide - Media Literacy for Adults. https://programminglibrarian.org/programming-guides .
McNeill, Erin. (2024). US Media Literacy Policy Report 2023 (contributor). Media Literacy Now. https://medialiteracynow.org/document/u-s-media-literacy-policy-report-2023/ .
Spikes, M.A. (2022). An Introductory Lesson Plan in News Media Literacy for YA Librarians. In POWER LINES: Connecting with Teens in Urban Communities Through Media Literacy (pp. 168–174). ALA Editions.
Friesem, Y. and Spikes, M.A. (2021). The What and Why of Media Literacy: A Framework. Illinois Media Literacy Coalition. https://ilmlc.org/declaration/ .
American Library Association. (2020). Media Literacy in the Library: A guide for library practitioners. https://bit.ly/3SPxyTv .
American Library Association. (2020). Media Literacy Education in Libraries for Adult Audiences. American Library Association. https://bit.ly/2YXo8rV .
Hornik, R., Anzalone, J., & Spikes, M. A. (2018).
GetNewsSmart: A Guide to Understanding the Key Concepts of News Literacy. Center for News Literacy, Stony Brook University.
Guide Link
Spikes, Michael A. “News Literacy: Evaluating Evidence in News Stories to Find the Truth.” BillMoyers.com, Public Square Media, Inc., 30 Mar. 2017, billmoyers.com/story/evaluating-evidence-refuting-trumps-wiretapping-claims/.
Spikes, Michael A. “Making Sense of the News: The Power of Information ” BillMoyers.com, Public Square Media, Inc., 3 Mar. 2017, billmoyers.com/story/making-sense-news-power-information/.
Spikes, Michael A. “Making Sense of the News: Distinguishing News from Sponsored Content” BillMoyers.com, Public Square Media, Inc., 22 Feb. 2017, billmoyers.com/story/making-sense-news-distinguishing-news-sponsored-content/.
Spikes, Michael A. “Making Sense of the News: First we have to determine what “the news” actually is.” salon.com. 6 Feb. 2017, https://www.salon.com/2017/02/06/making-sense-of-the-news-first-we-have-to-determine-what-the-news-actually-is_partner/
Spikes, Michael A.
"Learn about Crucial News Literacy Online." BillMoyers.com, Public Square Media, Inc., 6 Jan. 2017,
https://billmoyers.com/story/check-free-online-news-literacy-course/
Media Appearances
Trump Keeps Posting AI Images Of Himself With Dead Presidents. Experts Say It’s Not Just For His Ego. (2026, August 17). Huffington Post. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-ai-dead-presidents-why_l_6a835771e4b05886dff6230
Doctored images of legislative candidates spur complaint (2026, April 24). Montana Free Press.
https://montanafreepress.org/2026/04/23/doctored-images-of-legislative-candidates-spur-complaint/
Trump’s use of AI images pushes new boundaries, further eroding public trust, experts say. (2026, January 27). AP News. https://apnews.com/article/ai-videos-trump-ice-artificial-intelligence-08d91fa44f3146ec1f8ee4d213cdad31
Story reprinted in Las Vegas Sun at: https://lasvegassun.com/news/2026/jan/28/administrations-embrace-of-ai-images-raises-expert/
Roundtree, C. (2025, December 14). Blake Lively’s and Megan Thee Stallion’s Lawsuits Ask: Who Is a Journalist? Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/blake-lively-megan-thee-stallion-influencer-journalist-1235483256/
Calzada, Lu (2025, March 12). Generative AI in journalism: Avoiding fake, harmful content and using tools to improve news consumption. Windy City Times. https://windycitytimes.com/2025/03/12/generative-ai-in-journalism-avoiding-fake-harmful-content-and-using-tools-to-improve-news-consumption/
Steinberg, Isiah (2025, February 12). Medill introduces AP Seminar module on long road to AP Journalism class. The Daily Northwestern. https://dailynorthwestern.com/2025/02/12/campus/medill-introduces-ap-seminar-module-on-long-road-to-ap-journalism-class/
Guthmann, Meha A.A. (2025, January 9). Meta ends fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram. WBEZ Reset. WBEZ Chicago (Broadcast). https://www.wbez.org/reset-with-sasha-ann-simons/2025/01/09/meta-ends-fact-checking-on-facebook-and-instagram.
Saldierna, Julian & Dent, Lisa (2025, January 8). Dr. Michael Spikes: 'More people are putting more trust in Facebook for their information'. WGN Radio 720 (Broadcast). https://wgnradio.com/lisa-dent/dr-michael-spikes-more-people-are-putting-more-trust-in-facebook-for-their-information/.
Cortopassi, Ray (2025, January 7). Meta Moderation. WGN-TV (Broadcast). Link
2024 Media Appearances
"A World Under the Influence". Why It Matters. Council on Foreign Relations. Podcast. (2024, October 21). https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/world-under-influence
Mis/Dis* - Exploring Misinformation and Disinformation Part 1. iHeartMedia - KFI-AM 640 Los Angeles. Podcast. (202, October 22). https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-mis-dis-229477918/
"Unpacking misinformation and disinformation tactics surrounding disaster relief efforts". Total Information AM. KMOX Radio. (2024, October 8). https://www.audacy.com/podcast/total-information-am-2922c/episodes/unpacking-misinformation-and-disinformation-tactics-surrounding-disaster-relief-efforts-1bc3e
Clark, Leah. "Influencers get a seat at the DNC convention". The Monitor. NABJ Student Multimedia Project. (2024, August 2). https://nabjmonitor.com/2024/influencers-get-a-seat-at-the-nabj-convention/
Cross, Austin. "How false rumors ignited a weekend of violence for the UK". AirTalk with Larry Mantle. LAist 89.3 FM, Southern California Public Radio. (2024, August 6). https://laist.com/shows/airtalk/who-is-minnesota-gov-tim-walz-and-what-does-he-bring-to-the-harris-campaign#how-false-rumors-ignited-violence-in-uk
Protic, Marko. "Teorije zavere posle atentata na Trampa: Mračna stvarnost Amerike" ["Conspiracy Theories After the Trump Assassination: The Dark Reality of America"]. Glas Amerike [Voice of America - Serbia]. (2024, July 18). https://www.glasamerike.net/a/amerika-izbori-tramp-bajden-atentat-teorije-zavere/7701757.html
Pinho, Faith E. "After Trump is shot, conspiracy theories flood the internet, creating dangerous 'spiral'". Los Angeles Times. (2024, July 15). https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-07-15/trump-shooting-conspiracy-theories-internet
Heine, Christopher. "Marketers' Relationship with Social Media? It's Complicated". ANA Magazine, Association of National Advertisers. (2024, Apr 26). https://www.ana.net/magazines/show/id/ana-2024-04-social-media-turmoil
Ritvo, Hannah. "Young audiences are turning to TikTok influencers for their news. What are the downsides?". University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Journalism Ethics. (2024, Apr 11). https://ethics.journalism.wisc.edu/2024/04/11/young-audiences-are-turning-to-tiktok-influencers-for-their-news-what-are-the-downsides/
Hallett, Tom. "Getting savvy about media literacy". Taylor and Francis Group Insights. (2024, Mar 19). https://insights.taylorandfrancis.com/social-justice/media-literacy#
Boryga, Andrew. "Quality Media Literacy Requires More than Toothless Laws, Educators Say". Edutopia. (2024, Feb 29) https://www.edutopia.org/article/quality-media-literacy-requires-more-than-toothless-laws-educators-say
Terrible, Theresa and Shen, C. (Host). (2024, Jan 19). How war influences media and media influences war. Where We Live - Connecticut Public Radio. https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2024-01-19/how-war-influences-media-and-media-influences-war
2023 - 2022 Media Appearances
Persohn, L. (Host). (2023, Dec 12). A conversation with Michael Spikes (Season 4, No. 6) [Audio podcast episode]. In Classroom Caffeine Podcast series. https://www.classroomcaffeine.com/guests/michael-spikes
Stephen, Mike. "Media Literacy in Illinois". Outside the Loop - WGN Radio, 28 October 2023. https://outsidetheloopradio.com/2023/10/30/otl-889-media-literacy-in-illinois-whpk-fm-tries-to-stay-afloat-the-secret-history-of-mitty-collier/
Biron, Carey L. “US schools teach 'media literacy' to fight online disinformation”. Context - Thompson Reuters, 06 June 2023. https://www.context.news/big-tech/us-schools-teach-media-literacy-to-fight-online-disinformation
Liptrot, Michael. “Longtime cable news anchors Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon ousted on same day”. WBEZ Chicago, 25 April 2023. https://www.wbez.org/stories/longtime-cable-news-anchors-tucker-carlson-don-lemon-ousted-on-same-day/8c0eb245-9bc9-4542-b43f-b07a48d43c15
Theil, Michele. "TikTok is seeking to ban climate misinformation on the app. Will it work?". Big Issue, 21 April 2023. https://t.co/0TlTP66qmE
Lichty, Emily. "Illinois advocates, students ask for better media literacy education as new law takes effect". Daily Northwestern, January 31, 2023, https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/01/31/lateststories/illinois-advocates-students-ask-for-better-media-literacy-education-as-new-law-takes-effect/
Strong, Amber. "Media literacy helps students think critically about the news". Scripps News, January 25, 2023, https://scrippsnews.com/stories/media-literacy-helps-students-think-critically-about-news/
Moore, Matthew. "Arkansas Bill Plans to Ban TikTok on Government-Issued Devices". KUAF 91.3FM, December 21, 2022, https://www.kuaf.com/show/ozarks-at-large/2022-12-21/arkansas-bill-plans-to-ban-tiktok-on-government-issued-devices
Salman, Javeria. "One State is Poised to Teach Media Literacy Starting in Kindergarten". The Hechinger Report, December 10, 2022, https://hechingerreport.org/one-state-is-poised-to-teach-media-literacy-starting-in-kindergarten/
Holmes, Marie. "Study Says Many Teens Can’t Tell The Difference Between Real And Fake News". Huffington Post, September 12, 2022, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-help-your-kids-spot-fake-news_l_631b4196e4b046aa02344b5d
Eisendrath, Edwin. "The Big Picture with guest host Marj Halperin". Chicago, IL: WCPT 820AM, June 19, 2022, https://bit.ly/39H0id3
Williams, Amanda. "In Case You Missed It: Media Literacy 101". 1A. Washington, DC: WAMU & NPR, March 28, 2022, https://the1a.org/segments/in-case-you-missed-it-media-literacy-101/
Warren, J. (n.d.). Jim Warren: How Illinois is leading the charge for schools to impart media literacy to students. Chicagotribune.Com. Retrieved March 1, 2022, http://ow.ly/28gk50I6SbL
Allen, Natalie. "The Fight Against Misinformation". Evening Debrief. Atlanta, GA: Newsy, January 28, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LTYXLielIg
Pre-2022 Media Appearances
Hardwick, Reginald. "How Can You Tell if the News You Read is Real?" Illinois Public Media - WILL 90.9 FM, October 28, 2021, https://will.illinois.edu/21stshow/story/how-can-you-tell-if-the-news-you-read-is-real
Moreno, Nereida. “New Bill Would Require Illinois Schools To Teach Media Literacy”. WBEZ Chicago, 24 May 2021, https://www.wbez.org/stories/new-bill-would-require-illinois-schools-to-teach-media-literacy/1bf8a3ca-e4e9-4f0b-8685-1373f53299a8
Bertrand, Steven. “Illinois moving closer to mandating ‘Media Literacy’ in schools”. WGN Radio 720, 20 May 2021, https://wgnradio.com/chicagos-afternoon-news/illinois-moving-closer-to-mandating-media-literacy-in-schools/
Kennedy, Kristy P. “Media Literacy: An Antidote For Misinformation”. NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS, 22 Feb 2021, https://www.nprillinois.org/post/media-literacy-antidote-misinformation#stream/0
Glavinskas, Vanessa. “School for Skeptics”. The Rotarian,
rotary.org/en/literacy-can-mean-distinguishing-between-fact-and-fiction
Reynolds, Colleen. “Illinois Teachers Get Lesson In News Literacy.” WGLT, wglt.org/post/illinois-teachers-get-lesson-news-literacy#stream/0.
Rojas, Carmen. “Media Literacy Training for Teachers Goes a Long Way (Video).” Education Week - On Air: A Video Blog, 21 June 2017, https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/media-literacy-training-for-teachers-goes-a-long-way-video/2017/06
Public Speaking Engagements
The Librarian’s Role in Building Information Trust (Panelist)| October, 2026
The Chronicle of Higher Education; Cambridge University press (Virtual) (Recording)
Innovative Practices for Higher Ed to Support AP Students | July, 2026
AP Annual Conference; College Board, Las Vegas, NV
Media Literacy: Where are We Now? (Panel Moderator) | June, 2026
Workshop on Media Literacy Education; National Academies of Science, Engineering & Medicine, Washington, DC
Panelist | May 2026
Chicago Consortium on Longevity Summit , Evanston IL
Sharpening your Video News Packages | April, 2026
Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association, Glen Elyn, IL
Understanding News and Digital Information | April, 2026
A Day With Northwestern 2026; Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
An Introduction to News Media Literacy (Hybrid)| March, 2026
Schaumburg Public Library; Schaumburg, IL
Guest Lecturer; English for Media Professionals, Advanced Level (Virtual) | January, 2025
US Embassy, Riyadh; The Saudi Broadcasting Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
High School Journalism Partnerships for Filling Local News Gaps | October, 2025
American Press Institute Local News Summit, Washington, DC
Sharpening your Video News Packages | October, 2025
Illinois Journalism Education Association, Normal IL
Introducing Media Literacy and Intentional Media Making | August, 2025
Emmett Till Summer Institute / Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute, Chicago, IL
Making Sense of Media: Types, Genres and their Intentions through an Introduction to News Media Literacy | May, 2025
Center for Education Efficacy, Excellence and Equity - Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Medill & SESP Dual Degree Community Program (Keynoter) | May, 2025
Northwestern University - Evanston, IL
Illinois Media Literacy Coalition Research Jam (Program Facilitator) | March, 2025
University of Illinois - Chicago - Chicago, IL
Justice 20/20 Narrative Subcommittee Meeting (Panelist) (Virtual) | Feb, 2025
Illinois Justice Project - Chicago, IL
2024 Engagements
Media Literacy Education for Adult Audiences: Exploring ChatGPT and Conversational AI (Virtual) - (video)| December, 2024
American Library Association - Chicago, IL
Reporting & Publishing Beyond Your Campus | November, 2024
National Scholastic Press Association / JEA Fall Conference - Philadelphia, PA
Integrating AP Seminar: Journalism, Media & Democracy into High School Classrooms | November, 2024
National Scholastic Press Association / JEA Fall Conference - Philadelphia, PA
Introduction to Narrative Podcasting | November, 2024
National Scholastic Press Association / JEA Fall Conference - Philadelphia, PA
Supporting Youth Journalism and Media Literacy | October, 2024
Northern Illinois News Association Awards Keynote - Dekalb, IL
Understanding Media & Civic Engagement Panel | October, 2024
North Shore Civic Club - Lake Forest, IL
"The Threat of Misinformation and Disinformation" | September 2024
League of Women Voters of Oak Park-River Forest Fall Kickoff Program - Oak Park, IL
News Media Literacy 101 for Students | September 2024
Regina Dominican School - Wilmette, IL
IJEA All-State Banquet Keynote | June 2024
Illinois Journalism Education Association - Springfield, IL
Making Sense of Media & News Online | May 2024
League of Women Voters of Wheaton - Wheaton, IL
Communication Leaders of Chicago Panel Discussion | May 2024
Communication Leaders of Chicago -Chicago, IL
"Is the Press Failing Us?" Panel Discussion | March 2024
Blue Tuesday Happy Hour; Indivisible Chicago - Chicago, IL
Media Literacy Interventions in Various Contexts (Virtual) | February 2024
Global MediaEd Institute; Media Education Lab - Kingston, RI
2023-2020 Engagements
Using Media Literacy for Institutional Change (Virtual) | October 2023
Driving Change Learning Institute - Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD
Media Literacy 101 for US History Courses | July 2023
National World War II Museum Collection to Classroom Training, New Orleans, LA
Media Literacy Introduction (Virtual) | July 2023
Indivisible Illinois Truth Brigade, Evanston, IL
Scientific Media Literacy in K-12 Education (Virtual Panelist) | May 2023
Nobel Prize Summit Solution Sessions - Truth, Trust & Hope, Washington, DC
Impact of Disinformation on Democracy: Examining Media Literacy & Education (Virtual Panelist) &Navigating the Messy Media Ecosystem (Virtual) | April 2023
BEST Fulbright Media Literacy Program 2023, Amerikazentrum Hamburg & U.S. Embassy, Berlin
Closing Keynote - Making Sense of Media: A Framework for Media Literacy & Introductions to News Media Literacy | April 2023
21st Annual Information Literacy Summit DePaul University & College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL (Video)
Distinguishing Journalism in Crowded Media Ecosystems (Virtual) | April 2023
American Corners - Kazakhstan, US Department of State In association with American Library Association & East Kazakhstan Regional Library
Making Sense of News with News Media Literacy | March 2023
McLean County League of Women Voters, Normal, IL
Fact, Fiction, or Opinion?: How to Become a Well Informed Voter and Citizen | March 2023
Northbrook Public Library, Northbrook, IL
An Introduction to the Media Literacy Framework (Keynote) | February 2023
Northbrook Public School District 30, Northbrook, IL
Keynote Speaker | November 2022
National Louis University Reading Leadership Institute, Wheeling, IL
Keynote Panel - Civic Learning and Media Literacy Across the Disciplines | September 2022
Illinois Democracy Schools Network Annual Convening, Lisle, IL
Media Literacy and Critical Thinking (Virtual)| June 2023
Indivisible Illinois Truth Brigade, Evanston, IL (video)
"To Your Health!" (Panelist) - Experts on Fact & Fiction in a Pandemic March 2022
LSU Manship School of Mass Communication, Baton Rouge, LA (video 1, video 2)
“Using News Literacy to Make Sense of the Current Media Landscape” (Virtual) | 2021
Minitex @ University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
"Media Landscape and Economics” Media Literacy for Adults Webinar Series | 2020
American Library Association, Chicago, IL
Pre-2020 Engagements
Media Literacy @ Your Library Pre-conference Clinic | 2019
American Library Association Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
Making Sense of Actionable Information though the lens of news media literacy| 2019
Keynote Address - Rhode Island Association of Libraries Annual Conference, Providence, RI
“Making Sense of the News: Teaching News Literacy in an Era of Misinformation” | 2018
The Academy for Human Rights Summer Teacher Conference, Buffalo, NY
“Stopping Fake News in its Tracks by Building your Student's News & Information Literacy
Skills Today and Everyday” | 2018
Illinois Council for the Social Studies Fall Conference, Palatine, IL