Fake News: How True? An event of the RT Audience Council.

Fake News: How True? An event of the RT Audience Council.

Fake news may be defined as the deliberate spreading of false information to a mass audience. The reasons for fake news may include an attempt to control peoples beliefs, to damage the democratic process, or to promote sectoral interests. Financial or political gain may also be motivating factors.

Fake news is not a new phenomenon. Before the advent of social media it was more commonly referred to as propaganda. However, given that the technologies connected with media have become so advanced, fake news becomes increasingly easy to spread and difficult to detect.

A key challenge facing the media industry, and consumers, is the amount of noise around fake news itself, particularly when it comes to topical issues, where opposing sides allege fake news peddling. This can often lead to public apathy and mistrust, not just of the specific source, but of news generally. This is arguably the most dangerous of situations, as it creates a climate where the makers of fake news may face little or no resistance.

Credible, trusted, objective and well-resourced news services, spanning all media platforms (print, broadcast and online) is vital to any democracy.

The RT Audience Council is a voluntary body which provides a voice for consumers of RT media output and delivery on its public remit. To this end, the RT Audience Council wishes to explore the role and impact of fake news in our society and we invite members of the public to join in the debate.

Chaired by broadcaster Bryan Dobson, this seminar will ask: what is fake news?; how can we identify it?; what can be done to combat it?; and how can we ensure our valued news services are trustworthy, and not fake? Participating speakers include Sile Lane (Head of International Campaigns and Policy at Sense About Science), Aine Kerr (cofounder of Nevalabs), Kate Shanahan (Head of Journalism, DIT), Eugenia Siapera (Professor at DCU), Fionnan Sheehan (Editor of the Irish Independent), Dr Linda Kiernan (Lecturer at Trinity College), RT , and Ian Power (Exectutive Director of Spunout.ie)

We hope you can join us for this important debate.

April 12th 6pm at the Edmund Burke Theatre, Trinity College Dublin

To register for tickets to this free event email audiencecouncil@rte.ie. Strictly two tickets per person.

LINK:	http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2018/0329/95088...
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