Journalism and the Search for Truth in an Age of Social Media Conference

As the journalism profession struggles to respond to social media’s proliferating role, fresh social scientific and philosophical perspectives are required to comprehend news in relationship to the pursuit of truth. social media’s interaction with journalism and democracy will be analyzed from philosophical, ethical, practical and political perspectives. Experts from these fields will examine the current situation and consider likely future trajectories. Drawing on such an array of specialties, and by taking a cross-cutting approach, the event co-sponsors anticipate that new insights will be gained into the high-pressure world of journalism and its responsibilities. Discussions will be aimed at laying the conceptual groundwork for recommendations and action at the professional, procedural and policy levels

Tentative Schedule:

DAY ONE, Monday, April 24, 2017

8:45 AM Registration & coffee

9:15 AM Welcome and introduction

9:30 AM The journalistic crisis: the fourth estate, social media, and communicating the truth

11:00 AM Social responses to fake news: fears, trust, and knowledge

12:30 PM Lunch and poster session

1:30 PM Trolling, computer algorithms, and moderation

3:00 PM Short Break

3:15 PM Global perspectives: similarities and novelties 

4:45 PM Reception and informal discussion

DAY TWO, Tuesday, April 25

9:00 AM Registration & coffee

9:30 AM Fake news in a historical and contemporary perspective

11:00 PM Philosophy of truth, knowing, and communication

12:30 PM Lunch

1:15 PM Keynote Speaker

2:15 Short Break

2:30 PM PANEL— Reflections and paths forward

4:00 PM Tour of research facilities

4:30 PM Reception and informal discussion

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Symposium format:

• Brief papers and in-depth discussion, built on research and scholarly perspectives.

• Advocating political or partisan viewpoints is discouraged.

• The event will have an in-person audience and also be live-streamed. (Papers and live-stream will be archived on our website.)

You can read more about the conference and the tentative schedule here: https://demsatbu.wixsite.com/conference