Princeton Public Library hosts “Journalism and Democracy,” a public humanities forum featuring talks and discussions with distinguished academics and journalists, on Saturday, December 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Register to attend at www.princetonlibrary.org.
“Scholars, journalists and librarians require democracy and a free press as conditions to serve to an informed public,” said Cliff Robinson, public humanities specialist at the library. “The many political challenges before us today — the global threat of autocracy, the strategic use of targeted disinformation, and the polarization undermining the potential for collective action — make the question of citizens’ rights and obligations not only timely but urgent. Throughout this forum, we will explore how citizens can be mindful consumers of information and how they can support and participate in the continuous production of reliable sources.”
The first panel discussion, “Democracy, Citizenship and the Power of the Powerless,” takes place at 10:30 a.m. Panelists include Dan-El Padilla Peralta, associate professor of classics at Princeton University; Rachel Devlin, associate professor of history at Rutgers University; and Stanley Katz, president emeritus of the American Council of Learned Societies. Christopher Fisher, associate professor of history at The College of New Jersey, moderates.
Following lunch at noon, complimentary to registered attendees, the second panel discussion, “Democratic Societies and Participatory Journalism,” begins at 1:15 p.m. Panelists include Jane Ferguson, award-winning foreign correspondent for “PBS Newshour” and Princeton University journalism professor; journalist Tennyson Donyéa, founder of “Black in Jersey”; and The Marshall Project computational journalist Andrew Rodriguez Calderón. Anastasia Mann, lecturer at Princeton University and founding director of SPIA in NJ, serves as moderator.
At 3 p.m., Jan-Werner Müller, professor of social sciences and politics at Princeton University will present the keynote lecture, “Democracy’s Critical Infrastructure.”
