NEFAC, Framingham State University to Host Discussion on Online News and Misinformation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org

The New England First Amendment Coalition and the Henry Whittemore Library at Framingham State University are hosting a public conversation about misinformation and online news.

NEFAC’s Emily Sweeney, a reporter at The Boston Globe, will speak about professional information vetting strategies and provide guidance on how to best assess online news sources. Emily Rosenberg, a student at Framingham State University, will begin the program by presenting her research about social media use and the prevalence of misinformation online.

The program — titled “Seeking Truth: Verifying Information Online” — will begin at 4:30 p.m. on October 20 in the university’s McCarthy Center Alumni Room (campus map). The university is located at 100 State Street, Framingham, Mass.

The event is open to the general public. Those planning to attend in person and driving to the campus must email NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman for parking information. The program will also be streamed online here.

Seeking Truth: Verifying Information Online

Oct. 20 | 4 p.m. | Framingham State University | McCarthy Center Alumni Room

A conversation about the prevalence of misinformation online and how citizens can most responsibly use social media and other Internet news sources.

Emily Rosenberg is from Beverly, Mass. She is currently a sophomore political science major at Framingham State University. She is the Arts and Features Editor for the award-winning student newspaper, The Gatepost. She is also the Outreach and Events Coordinator for the Student Government Association and a Peer Mentor for first-year Foundations. She is particularly passionate about civics education and civic equality. After her undergraduate studies, she is planning to pursue a law degree.

Emily Sweeney covers local news and writes the Blotter Tales column for The Boston Globe. She’s also the author of the books Boston Organized Crime and Gangland Boston. She has been on the Globe staff since 2001 and currently serves on the Board of Directors for NEFAC and as president of the New England Society of News Editors.

 


NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.

Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.

Leadership Circle donors and Major Supporters of NEFAC include Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Paul and Ann Sagan, The Boston Globe, the Robertson Foundation, WBUR, Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists, and the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation.