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Isabelle Sonnenfeld

Tech leader | Former Head of News Lab, EMEA @Google | Founder and podcaster Role Models | Twitter (X) alumni | proud mother | feminist

Isa Sonnenfeld, also known as Isabelle Sonnenfeld, is a prominent figure in the field of journalism and technology. She served as the Head of EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) at Google's News Lab from 2015 until early 2024. In this role, she focused on driving innovation in journalism, combating disinformation, and ensuring election integrity across the region.3

In addition to her work at Google, Sonnenfeld is a co-founder and podcast host of "Role Models," where she discusses topics related to technology and democracy. Her career reflects a commitment to supporting journalists and media organizations in adapting to the digital landscape.23

Sonnenfeld has also been involved in various initiatives aimed at enhancing media literacy and fostering collaboration between tech companies and news organizations.4 Her professional background includes significant roles in leading projects that intersect technology with journalism, making her a key player in shaping the future of news media in the digital age.1

Beyond her professional endeavors, she identifies as a feminist and is a mother, emphasizing her multifaceted identity.25

Highlights

Mar 30 · linkedin

Finding facts during moments that matter Whether in a time of crisis, or when you’re searching for sensitive information like health or financial advice, we all have moments when researching is more than just searching. In these vulnerable times, we tend to be more prone to fall for misinformation.

📣  Ahead of International Fact-Checking Day, we're rolling out new experiences on Google Search and sharing updates on how we are helping people across Europe make sense of online information in those moments that matter.

🔎 One tool I’ve found particularly helpful is About this Result in Google Search, which provides important context about a result before you visit the page, including a description of the site, when it was first indexed, and what others say about the site and topic. You can see this information by simply tapping the three dots next to a search result. More about these new features can be found in our latest blog post https://lnkd.in/dDKC3B8m

🌎 So beyond new features in Search, we are also partnering with organisations to deliver fact check training and to share new techniques for combating the spread of misinformation online. In my role at Google with Google News Initiative I have the opportunity to work directly with journalists and experts across Europe, Middle East and Africa to come up with new ideas and solutions together.

🇩🇪 In Germany, we’ve expanded our long-running fact check partnership Faktencheck23 with the dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH. Since 2021, over 1,300 journalists from more than 100 German newsrooms have taken part in the training and joined a vibrant fact-checking community. Today, we’re launching the "Faktencheck23 Challenge" for German-speaking journalists. Journalists can test their knowledge in quizzes about digital research, verification and fact-checking techniques. More information here http://dpaq.de/icqf6.

🇺🇦 During times of crisis and war, access to authoritative content and news is especially critical Last year, we started to partner with the Lviv Media Forum and the Thomson Foundation earlier this year to provide a four-part training program for Ukrainian news organisations on engaging diaspora audiences and combating misinformation, among other topics.

🇪🇺 Additionally, Google provided a €25M contribution towards the inaugural European Media Information Fund. So far, 40 projects across Europe have been funded. Initiatives range from increasing the media literacy of a community in Italy by enabling local librarians with new resources and tools to boosting fact checking activities during Czech elections.

We’re grateful for our fact-checking partners across Europe and will continue our work to make every user feel safer when looking for information online. https://lnkd.in/d4AqZqhx #google #factchecking #journalism #informationliteracy

Related Questions

What are some key achievements of Isa Sonnenfeld during her time at Google's News Lab?
How did Isa Sonnenfeld contribute to journalism innovation in EMEA?
What is the Role Models podcast about, and how did Isa Sonnenfeld start it?
What are Isa Sonnenfeld's views on disinformation and election integrity?
How has Isa Sonnenfeld's work impacted the tech industry?
Isabelle Sonnenfeld
Isabelle Sonnenfeld, photo 1
Isabelle Sonnenfeld, photo 2
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Location

Berlin, Berlin, Germany