The Northern Plains Ethics Institute at NDSU is set to hold the third panel session addressing fake news in our communities. The session is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 25, from 7: p.m. to 9 p.m. in Memorial Union’s Century Theater.
The panel will focus on how to know the difference between opinion and reporting, as well as understanding good and bad versions of both. The forum was created in response to the continued community demand from the institute’s first two panels on the same topic.
The panel is set to include:
• Steve Hallstrom, president and managing partner of Flag Family Media
• Joe Radske, news director of KVRR Local News
• Danielle Webster, reporter at Prairie Public Broadcasting
Robert Mejia, assistant professor of communication, will moderate the panel.
“Our working definition of fake news is objectively false information that has a strong element of propaganda,” explained Dennis Cooley, institute director. “Propaganda is designed to consciously or unconsciously manipulate people so that they are unwilling to consider any information that contradicts their emotional interests.”
Panelists will consider the values of good opinion and good reporting, the challenges to reporting and opining and how they know when communication is effective.
Questions from the audience are encouraged.
“Our community wants greater depth to understand the fake news phenomenon. Since the institute’s mission is to inspire democratic participation in social and ethical issues, we created this panel for our stakeholders,” Cooley said. “Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the continuing conversation on an issue affecting our representative democracy and country.”
Questions or requests for accommodation can be directed to Cooley at 701-231-0738 or dennis.cooley@ndsu.edu.
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