Telling the Truth in a Post-Truth World
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A poster with the bare facts on 'Telling the Truth.' |
ALBANY, N.Y. (October 13, 2017) — More than 30 prominent journalists, editors, authors, historians and First Amendment scholars will convene at Page Hall today and tomorrow to cap off the New York State Writers Institute’s Telling the Truth in a Post-Truth World multi-event symposium.
Six sessions open to the public on October 13 and 14 will explore topics that are crucial to an open democratic society, including presidents and the press, cybercrimes and civil liberties, race and class in a democracy, the First Amendment and free speech, and more. A panel discussion on Media in the Age of New Technology will kick-off the two-day event at 4 p.m. Friday, followed by book signings and a discussion on Presidents & the Press: Trump, Nixon & More. More discussions, book signings and receptions will continue on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Some of the speakers include:
- Ashleigh Banfield, host of Primetime Justice
- Bob Schieffer, former CBS Evening News anchor
- Maria Hinojosa, executive producer of Latino USA
- Douglas Brinkley, CNN historian and biographer of four U.S. presidents
- James Steiner, ex-CIA official and UAlbany Homeland Security Program Director
- Gilbert King, historian & Pulitzer Prize winner
- Kelley Beaucar Vlahos, managing editor of The American Conservative
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NYS Writers Institute Director Paul Grondahl. (Photo by Anthony Tassarotti) |
“We have come to a fraught moment in our national discourse, with vitriol on both sides of the political divide and a sharp decline in news literacy and a steady rise in ‘fake news,’” said Paul Grondahl, director of the NYS Writers Institute. “Now, more than ever, we need to address these issues critical to an open, functional democratic society. We need to move beyond our social media echo chambers to listen to points of view other than our own. We need to talk to each other. Most importantly, we need to listen,” he continued.
The events are free of charge and seating is first come, first served. Attendees are encouraged to bring gently used children’s books to donate as part of the event’s partnership with Grassroot Givers, which distributes books to Albany school children in need.
A full schedule of events can be viewed here.
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