Moment of Truth

If journalism holds a mirror to society, the digital age is a funhouse—a disorienting series of fractured, distorted, and sometimes false reflections. The internet and social media have given power to new voices, but they have also splintered a longstanding media landscape where we can choose our own news, our own facts, and, arguably, our own realities.

Can a democracy survive the shattering of information into so many competing narratives? How do we combat lies when research shows they can travel faster and wider online than the truth? Can we do anything about this landscape’s vulnerability to disinformation without compromising free speech?

Coming in fall 2018, “Moment of Truth: Journalism and Democracy in the Age of Misinformation” is a series of conversations across the state with journalists, scholars, and writers. Headlining the series will be two Pulitzer-prize winning authors: Nicholas Kristof, a journalist for the New York Times; and author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. Goodwin will kick off the series on October 1 in Seattle with a lecture at Benaroya Hall, presented in partnership with Seattle Arts & Lectures. Kristof will appear on November 5 in Spokane at the John J. Hemmingson Center, presented in partnership with Gonzaga University’s Center for Public Humanities.

These two large events will be capstones for a more extensive statewide series of free Think & Drink events in Spokane, Yakima, Seattle, the Tri-Cities, and Tacoma. Think & Drink events are free hosted discussions at pubs and tasting rooms around the state.

Current schedule:

Yakima

The Speed of Deceit: The New Era of Online Lies and Misinformation

September 20, 7:00 p.m., Gilbert Cellars

Yakima

Spokane

Seattle

Seattle

Spokane

Richland

Yakima

Seattle

Spokane

Tacoma

Seattle

Yakima

Tacoma

Seattle

Bellingham

Bellingham