https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-fake-news-a-digital-problem-tickets-126834805317

The words ‘fake news’ have become an ominous symbol for an informational landscape where nothing is quite what it seems, any factual assertion can be thrown into doubt, and who you believe has almost entirely to do with your pre-existing political persuasions. Part of the analysis of how we got into this situation has involved harsh critiques of the digital platforms that have placed themselves at the core of this informational landscape, but is it as simple as blaming the technologies we use to learn about politics?

Marcus Gilroy-Ware will be joined by special guests Dr. Sivamohan Valluvan, Professor Jo Littler and Professor Natalie Fenton in a discussion about his new book After the Fact?, which looks at fake news and conspiracy theories, ‘bullshit journalism’ and the resurgence of the far-right. He argues that liberal newspaper columnists and centrist politicians are unable to turn back this tide and that, if we are to put an end to ‘fake news’, we must deal with the broader social crises that are responsible for it.

Marcus Gilroy-Ware has been immersing himself in digital media since the age of five. Having lived in the United States, Brazil and Britain, he now writes, teaches, researches at the intersection of culture and communication in Bristol. He is the author of Filling the Void: Emotion, Capitalism and Social Media (Repeater, 2017). His latest book is: After the Fact? The Truth About Fake News (Repeater, 2020).