The Importance of Media Literacy & Combating Fake News

According to a December 2021 NPR/Ipsos poll, 64% of Americans believe democracy is in crisis and at risk of failing. Here in Rhode Island, two key contributors were identified in the recent Culture is Key: Strengthening Rhode Island’s Civic Health Through Cultural Participation report—inequities in civic education and threats to local journalism. As Rhode Islanders, what can we do to rebuild our civil society when we address these threats to civic education and journalism? Please join these FREE, VIRTUAL community conversations:

Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 PM

The Role of Civic Education & Its Importance for Civic Health

With youth leaders from the RI Civic Learning Coalition; Marcos Bonilla, Genesis Center’s Citizenship Prep alum; and Julia Renaud of RI Council for the Humanities

Wednesday, March 16 at 6:30 PM

The Importance of Media Literacy & Combating Fake News

Virtual via Zoom​

Misinformation plants seeds of mistrust in democratic processes and undermines the systems of government. What responsibility do journalists and media personalities have for identifying incorrect or deliberately misleading information especially in widespread electronic media including podcasts? What responsibility do individuals have to their community to be critical media consumers in what they view, listen to, and share? Where and how do we draw the line between fake news and free speech rights? This program will be a dialogue around the vital role media plays in civic society and the importance of media literacy to an informed community. Participants: Ed Fitzpatrick, Boston Globe staff writer covering Rhode Island; Renee Hobbs, Founder of the Media Education Lab at URI; Lynette Labinger, Attorney specializing in First Amendment cases. Audience questions are encouraged.

REGISTER HERE 

These virtual community conversations are both free, but pre-registration is required. Visit https://www.preserveri.org/calendar to register and receive the Zoom link.

Thanks to the Rhode Island League of Women Voters Education Fund for supporting this series.