The United States is backsliding into what political scientists call “electoral autocracy,” where elections are held but there is not free and fair competition. The President and his party are weaponizing the state to weaken the political opposition and the journalism outlets, media, platforms, and universities that can hold them accountable, including through elections. At such a moment, the First Amendment freedom to produce information and knowledge in the public interest that safeguards democratic elections, processes, and norms is crucial. This panel will provide a clear-eyed, research-based analysis of what is at stake and argue for the right, and responsibility, of media and platforms to serve as democratic gatekeepers and hold elected leaders accountable for eroding checks on their power. At a time when many university administrators and faculty would rather talk about the hypothetical threats of AI than the wolves at the door, panelists will detail the urgency of the existential threats to our shared democratic life, the violent consequences of inaction such as during the attempted coup on January 6th, and the ways that journalism, platforms, and universities must rise to meet the moment and fulfill their obligation of serving the public interest.
Panelists:
Meredith Clark, Co-Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigator, UNC Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life
Anika Collier Navaroli, Senior Fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University and the McGurn Senior Fellow for Media Integrity at the Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology at the University of Florida.
Daniel Kreiss, Faculty Director, Co-Principal Investigator, UNC Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life
Shannon McGregor, Co-Principal Investigator, UNC Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life
Hosted by: UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Additional Information can be found at: https://heellife.unc.edu/event/11602408