Humanities Washington: Moment of Truth – Journalism and Democracy in the Age of Misinformation

Event Description

Journalism plays a vital role in a democracy—a free press is among the first institutions to be gutted in an autocracy—and a thriving press is a sign of civic health. But dramatically falling revenue, the decimation of smaller newspapers, and an increasing reliance on the whims of a few social media companies for reach has thrown the industry into turmoil.

Worse, public trust in journalists has become deeply polarized. According to a 2017 Gallup poll, 72% of Democrats say they have a “great deal or fair amount” of trust in the media. Republicans? 14%.

Are journalists simply neutral fact-finders, or is there good reason for this mistrust? Does the media lean liberal? Are the struggles journalists face just growing pains as they adjust to a new digital age, or signs of a slow death? How seriously should we take some of President Trump’s threats to journalists? Should we fear censorship or First Amendment curtailments?

Join us as we examine the state of the news, featuring: executive editor of the Tri-City Herald, Laurie Williams; award-winning journalist with NW News Network, Anna King; and editor of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, Kristina Lord.

Event is free and open to the public. Register here.

This event is part of our fall statewide series, “Moment of Truth: Journalism and Democracy in an Age of Misinformation.” Click here for more information.

We thank The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for their generous support of this initiative and the Pulitzer Prizes for their partnership.