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By Christina Weszelits, JRN 111 Student
During the Trump presidency, the term “fake news” gained widespread popularity. Trust in major news institutions was thrown out the window and many people didn’t know what to believe.
According to Democracy Commitment coordinator and political science professor Kevin Navratil, “fake news” is “news that’s designed to intentionally mislead viewers or consumers.” But what role does it play in important issues including who we elect, the protection of our environment, and the safety of what we consume?
Tune in Wednesday from 11-12 a.m. to dive into this very topic during the next Democracy Commitment event, “How misinformation can impact political processes, policymaking, and election laws.”
During this virtual event, Navratil will help the audience understand why misinformation can be dangerous by showing examples of misinformation not only from the past but also current examples, further pushing the urgency of this topic.
Navratil believes each person plays a role in the government and the law, but he sees the importance behind learning and recognizing false information.
“I don’t think citizens acknowledge they are misinformed,” he said. “We think our beliefs are correct.”
Navratil hopes that this event “informs participants on the role that misinformation plays in influencing laws, particularly election laws.”
In 2011, a group of community colleges united with the goal of instilling the importance of democracy in the minds of students. This later became the Democracy Commitment program. As coordinator of the program for Moraine Valley, Navratil plans several events each semester.
This particular event will be presented via WebEx, requiring an internet connection. If you’re interested in attending, it has been recommended to sign up in advance to reserve your spot.
To join, you may click here.