On May 24, the Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net) hosted a Media Justice Salon, From Fake News to Real News: Making Truth Go Viral. We discussed the importance for our communities to discuss the roots of fake news in white nationalism, and how it increases hate speech and violence against 
people of color.
During the Media Justice Salon, our invited guests from Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Free Press, Democracy Fund, and Media Consortium went deeper into the historic relationship between media and white nationalism, such as ownership of radio stations by the Ku Klux Klan or the use of newspapers to incite violence against Black communities in the South during Reconstruction. We also examined the strategies for pushing back against these hurtful narratives and the opportunities for resistance that an open Internet provides us. Together, we identified ways to decipher fake news and how we can all play a role in making truth go viral.
If you missed From Fake News to Real News, make sure to check out the presentation recording and learn more about our featured speakers:
- Manolia Charlotin, Media Consortium
- Dani McClain, Freelance Reporter
- Tia Oso, Black Alliance for Just Immigration
- Tracie Powell, All Digitocracy and Democracy Fund
- Joe Torres, Free Press
Want to read more about this topic? Check out our From Fake News to Real News resources:
- Open MIC’s report, ‘Fake News’, Hate Speech and Free Expression: Corporate Responsibility in an Age of Alternative Facts: http://fakenews.openmic.org/
- Investors urge Facebook, Google to take more action on fake news: http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Investors-urge-Facebook-Google-to-take-more-11133978.php
- Data and Society’s report, Media Manipulation and Disinformation Online: https://datasociety.net/output/media-manipulation-and-disinfo-online/
- Truth, Lies, and Quibblers: Media Literacy for a New Era: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/blogs/from-main-library/truth-lies-and-quibblers-media-literacy-new-era
- The Media Consortium Directory of over 80 independent media outlets that tell real news everyday and cover movements: https://www.themediaconsortium.org/member-directory
- The Trust Project has developed indicators to help news consumers better identify credible news sources: http://thetrustproject.org/
- Democracy Fund’s tips and advice to help find and support trustworthy journalism: http://www.dailygood.org/story/1505/how-to-find-and-support-trustworthy-journalism-democracy-fund/
- Democracy Fund-supported fact-checking websites, Politifact and Punditfact: http://www.democracyfund.org/portfolio/entry/politifact-and-punditfact
- Facebook Exec Says Technical Updates Are More Effective Than Fact Checkers To Fight Fake News: http://bzfd.it/2qM3Z8w
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Media Justice Salons are interactive webinars that highlight top line media and communication policy issues that impact our communities. Media Justice Salons are a great educational opportunity for network member organizations to learn more about critical media issues, connect with leaders in the field, and find out how to take action. Want to learn more about how your organization can join an upcoming Media Justice Salon? Please contact Angella Bellota, Membership Organizer: [email protected]
