For our next webinar, we will be hosting Darrell M. West, Darrell West, Vice President and Director, Governance Studies at Brookings Institution
Probably more than ever in the history of humanity, it seems as if truth is threatened, facts can now be cherry-picked and echo chambers now easily get people to live in alternative realities. Did journalism play any role in all of this? And what can journalists do to address the disinformation and misinformation crisis?
Our guest is Darrell West, Vice President and Director, Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. He is also a Senior Fellow of Brookings’ Center for Technology Innovation.
In a piece he wrote in December 2017 on how to combat fake news and disinformation, he said that fake news and sophisticated disinformation campaigns are especially problematic in democratic systems, and there is growing debate on how to address these issues without undermining the benefits of digital media. In order to maintain an open, democratic system, he said it is important that government, business and consumers work together to solve these problems.
On Thursday, we will discuss how disinformation and misinformation have evolved, the impacts they’ve both had in people’s lives and the role of journalists and media, including what can be done moving forward.
West holds the Douglas Dillon Chair in Governmental Studies at Brookings. He is Co-Editor-in-Chief of TechTank. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics and the future of work. West is also director of the John Hazen White Manufacturing Initiative. Prior to joining Brookings, he was the John Hazen White Professor of Political Science and Public Policy and Director of the Taubman Center for Public Policy at Brown University.
