What’s behind the “slopaganda” pushing Alberta separatism?

This episode of As It Happens investigates a coordinated network of YouTube channels promoting Alberta separatism, dubbed 'slopaganda' by researchers. A report from the Media Ecosystem Observatory reveals 20 channels using fake personas—often American voice actors or AI avatars—to push pro-U.S. annexation narratives, amassing nearly 40 million views. These channels exaggerate grievances against Canada and fabricate poll data, exploiting real political tensions around Alberta's potential referendum. Analyst Chris Ross highlights red flags like mispronounced city names and lack of verifiable links, warning these accounts may constitute a covert influence operation. The episode also covers the White House Correspondents' Dinner, where former journalists urge the press to publicly defend the First Amendment amid Donald Trump’s attendance, calling it a moment to confront press hostility. Meanwhile, a remarkable study on Bruce the parrot reveals how a bird missing his upper beak invented a jousting technique to become the dominant member of his flock, challenging assumptions about animal disability. The episode closes with Christian Jameson, great-great-grandson of Boston Marathon pioneer Tom Longboat, nearing his goal of matching Longboat’s historic 1907 time, and a rare book of John Keats’ love letters stolen in the 1980s finally returned to the Whitney family after a two-month mystery at a Manhattan bookstore.