Two events in April will give the community the chance to take a close look at news, media and the challenge of navigating a landscape of partisan reportage in this ever more complicated age.
The first event, co-hosted by the Idaho Media Initiative and the Idaho Library Association, is a lecture by Lee Rainie of the Pew Research Center, “The Future of Truth,” 7 p.m. Monday, April 2, in the Boise State Special Events Center.
Rainie, director of internet and technology research at Pew, will discuss changes in the information ecosystem, including bots, schemes and algorithms that affect our ability to effectively navigate the world of social media. Rainie will speak about how how trust in information sources is shifting in today’s challenging environment and what new consumers can do about it. The talk is free and open to the public.
The second event, co-sponsored by the Idaho Media Initiative and the National Association for Media Literacy Education, is a symposium, “Media Literacy and Civic Engagement in the Digital Age,” 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, in the Student Union Jordan Ballroom.
The symposium will bring together students, journalists, pre-K -12 educators, higher education professors and researchers to discuss journalism, media literacy and civic engagement. Conversations will explore the challenges journalists and educators face in the ever-growing information landscape, how journalists and educators can work together to move beyond the “fake news” discussion and what students need to understand to participate as an active citizen in modern society.
Highlights include a conversation with Tim Reid, U.S. national affairs correspondent with Reuters, as well as breakout sessions and panels with local journalists and communications experts.
The symposium is also free and open to the public, but registration is required. Parking for both events is available for $2 in the Lincoln Garage.