Fake News Discussion at MSUB

Where do you get your news?  The Montana State University Billings Library is presenting a panel discussion on the growing social impact of fake news on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. in the Royal Johnson Community Room.

Fake news has influenced opinion and policy, been prevalent on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more.  Disinformation through fake news has even been linked to Russian government hacking of the 2016 American presidential election.  Panelists include Ed Kemmick, editor of Last Best News; Pat Bellingshausen, opinion page editor for the Billings Gazette; Dr. Susan Balter-Reitz, MSUB director of eLearning and professor of communication; and Dr. Melissa Boehm, assistant professor in communication and theater at MSUB.  Gavin Woltjer, director of the Billings Public Library, is the moderator.

The panel discussion will cover what fake news is and why it is important to understand.  In our increasingly technology-driven society, questions of the legitimacy of information impact our electorate and culture.