Qatar National Library (QNL) is pleased to invite all to this inaugural panel discussion where an outstanding line-up of journalists, academics, diplomats, library leaders, and Middle East experts will attempt to unpack the ways in which fake news is being used in the current political climate to manipulate political agendas – and what should be done about it.
Recently public discourse has been plagued by “fake news,” conspiracy theories, and alternative facts. This phenomenon has dominated international headlines over the last few years, from Russia’s supposed role in influencing the 2016 U.S. presidential election to the 2017 Qatar/GCC crisis, and has undermined the authority of sources of information such as the news media, academia, or even libraries. In this so-called ‘post-truth’ era, the struggle to deal with the consequences of “fake news” has been consuming for individuals and governments alike.
But what is “fake news” and is it something new? How does it differ from propaganda and disinformation? Have digital technologies and social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) intensified the power and potential influence of “fake news”?
Join us for discussion and Q&A.
Tuesday, 17 April 2018
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Venue: QNL Special Events Area
Language: English, but interpretation into Arabic will be provided
Seats are limited, please click here to register.
The Speakers
Roger Cohen, journalist and columnist - The New York Times
Roly Keating, Chief Executive - The British Library
Charles Henry, President - Council on Library and Information Resources
Maggie Salem, Executive Director - Qatar Foundation International
Moderator: Samer Shehata, Professor of Middle East Studies - University of Oklahoma