How to Be Media Literate Citizens: Explore The Role of Researchers, Journalists, and Students in the World of Heightened Disinformation, Conspiracy Theories, and Hate.

Developing informed, media literate citizens is an important goal of a liberal arts education. In this half-day conference, we will explore how the higher education community at URI can work with the media, and members of the general public to help limit disinformation and conspiracy theories and at the same time preserve academic freedom and democracy. Includes:

1:00 - 2:00 pm -- Communication and Media Professionals Panel. In-Person Journalism Panel to address the role of public information officers and directors of communication in government/public agencies around disinformation. Panelists include: Justin Silverman, Executive Director of the New England First Amendment Coalition; Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe; Joseph Wendelken, Public Information Officer, RI Department of Health, and URI student journalists.

2:00 - 3:30 pm  -- Research Showcase on Misinformation by URI faculty and graduate students.

3:45 - 4:45 pm -- Facilitated Participatory Workshops

5:00 - 6:00 pm -- The Global Disinformation Trade: from the Pandemic to the War in Ukraine.  Virtual Keynote Address by Craig Silverman, internationally-known fact-check expert and award-winning investigative journalist.

Register here to participate.

Sponsored by Harrington School, Journalism, Political Science and Center for Non Violence and Peace Studies