https://dailycollegian.com/2025/04/umass-freshmen-develop-startup-to-combat-media-bias/
Two freshman at UMass Amherst: Gagan Gutta, a mathematics major and Matthew Perlman, a computer science major decided to team up together to develop a startup called ClearContext. ClearContext uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to analyze news articles, vidoes, and other media in order to prevent spread of misinformation or biases. The AI platform can be integrated into different media outlet websites to allow readers to have a better understanding of the context. They built the platform as a browser extension that allows users to gain access to alternate viewpoints from the sources on which they read and view news. The freshman brainiacs are eager to connect with other students or news outlets that are interested in collaborating with them on their software. Moving forward ClearContext will be collaborating with news sources that have the ability to shine light on their software. This will not only boost their credibility and business but also enhance the strategies of news editing. After COVID-19, advertising became cheaper which made it easier to reach target audiences. Gutta and Perlman believe at this point in time there are a lot of unreliable sources out there. Their end goal is to fix that in the news industry along with other media outlets.
February 14th, 2025, the Administration of Finance Department at the University of UMass Amherst got in touch with UMass Transit Services to remove the pride flag from the flagpole at the Bus Garage due to violating the flag policy. The pride flag was originally hung on a flagpole outside the main visitor entrance. A service manager at UMTS, Stephanie Goodwin, emphasizes she was speaking not on behalf of UMTS but instead as an individual. To her knowledge the transit has always complied with flag code of the state. According to her, someone filed a complaint, and with that a few days later the flag was taken down. In December of 2024, 3 people sent by administration removed the gender neutral bathroom signs inside transit facilities. Cam Boylan, a Meet and Greet Supervisor, takes a stance with Goodwin that neither are speaking on behalf of UMTS. He had come in for his shift during winter break and noticed his co-workers talking, a bit uneasy. Boylan observed that the wall had been damaged where the signs once were and that they had been confiscated. The gender neutral signs were first put up under the original gender signs by Transportation Services Manager, Constance Englert, to display that anyone had the right to use the restroom they felt comfortable using. Boylan states, “It felt like a slap in the face” referring to the queer community. Which is why both situations are being taken so seriously. After the signs and flag were taken down people were shaken and left feeling unsafe and no longer accepted. In response, Goodwin has created flyers to get the word out. On March 18th, UMTS hung up a flag representing their services, in replacement of the pride flag. Since this, the University has not commented on the situation.
