The Ferndale Public Library will host a panel of experts to take on the topic of fake news Thursday. “Gimme Some Truth: How To Be Sure What's Real Online In The Era Of Fake News” will be moderated by Sandra Svobodoa, special assignments manager at WDET 101.9 FM. The panel will include journalists, information science professionals, police and librarians. The event is free and starts at 7 p.m.
Organizers describe the epidemic of false “news” stories that began with the 2016 presidential election. The discussion will center on how these fake stories make their way into social media and how the stories are engineered to push an agenda, often by outraging targeted audiences. Topics up for discussion also include how to spot fake stories, and whether or not Americans are informed consumers of media, able to spot biased or misleading stories.
The panel includes Chastity Pratt Dawsey (Bridge Magazine), reporter Matt Helms (formerly with the Detroit News), Ferndale Police Sgt. Baron Brown (co-founder of the Fabulous Ferndale Forum), Ferndale librarian Michelle Williamson, and Lauren Villaluz (technology integration specialist, Ferndale Schools). WDET and the Ferndale Library are co-sponsors of the event, which will take place at the library, 222 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Registration via Eventbrite is free and is required for the event.
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