Our Scans · (ZY.4.18) Media Studies · Weekly Summary

• [New] Brazilian President Lula has finalised a proposal to regulate social media platforms, which will soon be sent to Congress. EU DisinfoLab
• [New] Hesai Technology showcases its next-generation ETX and FTX lidar systems, setting new performance benchmarks for L3/L4 autonomous driving with mass production slated for 2026. Self Drive News
• [New] Social Media Ban Hits Nepal's Digital Economy, Thousands of Jobs at Risk: Nepal's ban on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube has triggered fears of severe economic fallout, with experts warning of widespread job and business losses. Nepal News
• [New] Social search is expected to become a key brand discovery channel in 2025, with 84% of marketers agreeing that consumers will search for brands on social media this year. Hubspot
• [New] The future of YouTube may not be just about individuals recording themselves - it could be about fully automated media companies operating 24/7, producing content that informs, entertains, and inspires at scale. Motivation
• [New] Social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, will increasingly serve as platforms for bookings, recommendations, and experiences. Travel And Tour World
• [New] As AI transforms communication services, from network management to customer engagement, telcos' ability to leverage federal initiatives will be critical in maintaining competitive advantage and supporting America's broader technological leadership. Bizclik Media Ltd
• [New] OpenAI has tapped chipmaker Broadcom to mass manufacture its own artificial intelligence chips set for shipping in 2026. Silicon Republic
• [New] OpenAI is gearing up to start the mass production of its own AI chips in 2026 to be able to provide the massive computing power its users need and to lessen its reliance on NVIDIA. Engadget
• [New] Unregistered social media platforms will be deactivated today onwards. Engadget
• [New] By the end of 2025 it will start requiring all users who use the text and chat communication tools that sit alongside the thousands of available games to go through age checks. The Guardian
• [New] X is different from Twitter because while Twitter has mostly been a free social media site for short-form content and real-time news updates, X will expand into functionalities like banking, shopping, video broadcasting, and more. Typefully
• Retail media is big business, expected to account for more than $74 billion in U.S. ad spend in 2026. Digiday
• In 2025, we will see the integration of AI in the process of sifting through data on social media platforms to identify brand values, audiences and goals that each influencer aligns with. The Handbook
• In 2025, we will see a shift toward influencers and celebrities adopting a more curated, minimalist aesthetic on social media. The Handbook
• By 2025, features such as AI-driven targeting and interactive ads will make social media marketing more effective than ever. Telangana Today
• In a world divided by misinformation, SCO's focus on countering extremism could lead to social media pacts, surprising with cross-border content collaborations. J&M Duna Press
• The situation surrounding the TikTok ban remains dynamic, with ongoing debates and potential policy shifts that could alter the landscape of social media usage in the U.S. Climate Cosmos
• TikTok is a significant threat to Meta's social media dominance and the Facebook parent's ability to attract advertising. Forbes
• In an update released on Wednesday, BIA says it expects local media platforms to earn $169 billion from ads in 2025, down from an earlier forecast of $171.4 billion. TheDesk.net
• While recent media coverage of the US Federal Reserve has tended to focus on when, and by how much, interest rates will be cut, larger issues loom. HubbardOBrienEconomics.com Blog
• In 2025, creator-driven platforms (such as YouTube and TikTok) will generate more advertising revenue than all traditional media companies combined. MIT OpenCourseWare
• Retail media networks - projected to grow 24% annually during 2025-26 - are driven by their command of first-party data, while short-form and interactive videos dominate mobile engagement. MIT OpenCourseWare

Last updated: 11 September 2025