Discussion: Democracy and Journalism in the Digital Age

Deutsches Haus at NYU, UAS7 German Universities of Applied Sciences, and the University Alliance Ruhr invite you to a panel discussion on “Democracy and Journalism in the Digital Age,” with Summer Lopez (PEN America), Prof. Dr. Wiebke Möhring (TU Dortmund University), and Prof. Dr. Christian Stöcker (University of Applied Sciences Hamburg), which will be moderated by Cameron Abadi (Foreign Policy magazine).

The speed and ease with which digital media produce and disseminate news has a profound impact on how we participate in the democratic process. On the one hand, the internet and social media seem to harbor considerable democratizing potential by opening up new pathways for citizens to increasingly contribute to policy making. On the other hand, digital media might not solve the lack of political participation typical among many citizens in Western democracies. In fact, the radical democratization of knowledge and the multiplication of sources pose significant risks insofar as they pave the way to widespread falsification of information by political and corporate powers. How do media systems and regulatory bodies in Germany and in the U.S. negotiate the opportunities and challenges posed by digital media? How do readers distinguish fact from fiction in a time when the public’s faith in media and politicians’ rhetorical claims seems to dwindle on both sides of the Atlantic? How do recent developments in digital media affect and change journalism both as a profession and in its relation to the public? Join us for a panel with media experts and journalists from both sides of the Atlantic who will share their views on the changing political landscapes and the future of their profession.

From NYU’s Deutsches Haus. Events are free and open to the public. RSVP is suggested.