A discourse with no
anchor in truth ceases to have value as discourse. The President’s accusations
that the media are perpetuating “fake news” have raised numerous legal and
ethical questions for lawyers, journalists, government officials, and citizens.
This panel, comprised of experts in journalism and media law, will consider the
phenomenon and politics of fake news; the law’s role, if any, in regulating
truth in public discourse; the media’s role in ensuring public discourse is
anchored in truth and their contribution to the fake news phenomenon; the role
of independent fact-checking websites such as Snopes.com and Politifact.com in
helping debunk fake news; and the potential impact of the fake news debate on
First Amendment press freedoms.
Business
meeting at program conclusion.