Factions, Fears, and Fake News
Tuesday, 7 November 2017 
A symposium organized by the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute, Trinity College Dublin, and the Society of Fellows and Heyman Center for the Humanities, Columbia University, New York to explore the current political climate.
7th November 2017 - Trinity Long Room Hub (Neill Lecture Theatre)
09:30 - 11:00: GROWTH OF RIGHT-WING NATIONALISM AND THE COLLAPSE OF THE CENTRAL LEFT
The growth of right-wing nationalism being witnessed on a global scale in both transitioning and established democracies is having an unprecedented impact on democratic values and institutions, recalling a dark time in Europe’s history.
This panel will explore the implications of the collapse of the centre left in a number of recent elections worldwide, the impact on Europe more widely, the dynamics driving this trend as well as measures to safeguard the rule of law and democratic principles central to a thriving democracy.
Moderator: Fintan O’Toole, Irish Times
Panelists
'From Enoch Powell to Donald Trump: White Nationalism in the U.K. and U.S'
Dr Daniel Geary, School of Histories and Humanities, TCD -
'Illiberal democracies: are Germany and Austria next?'
Professor Juergen Barkhoff, School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, TCD
Illiberal Democracies and the EU’s Eastern borderlands: The Endgame for Democracy?
Dr. Balázs Apor, Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies / Centre for European Studies (TCD)
11:30 - 13:00 – POST TRUTH
In Jonathan Swift’s essay on ‘Political Lying’ he comments poignantly that ‘the greatest liar hath his believers, and it often happens that if a lie be believed only for an hour, it hath done its work, and there is no further occasion for it. Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect.’
In what has been deemed a post-truth era, it is not solely ‘political lying’ which is in question, but an entire machine of misinformation which is readily available and targeted at willing listeners. Debate has become increasingly polarised and expert comment has been rejected in place of opinion and personal belief. When propaganda caroms so easily around the world, how can non-experts learn to distinguish truth? This panel will look at the factors which led us to this point and consider what lies ahead for the future of facts.
Moderator: Stephen Rae, Editor in Chief, Independent News and Media Group
Panelists:
'“. . . believe me”: Post Truth, My Truth'
Professor Joseph Slaughter, Department of English and Comparative Literature, Columbia University
'Will Post-truth set us free?'
Dr Fáinche Ryan, School of Religions, Peace Studies and Theology, TCD -
'The ongoing struggle for Enlightenment against its enemies'
Professor Todd Gitlin, School of Journalism, Columbia University
‘Post-Truth, Alternative Facts, Fake News: The Responsibility of Universities’
Professor Darryl Jones, School of English, TCD
14:00 - 15:30 – MIGRATION IN CRISIS
In Europe and the U.S today, immigration continues to cause division in public debates around globalisation, security, labour, war, and economics. Immigration is understood to have impacted on the outcome of the Brexit referendum and was a key debating point during the Trump-Clinton 2016 Presidential election and numerous European elections which have taken place since.
This discussion on migration in crisis will bring different disciplinary perspectives from history to human rights, and linguistics to peace studies on ways that communities think about and respond to the arrival of migrants.
Moderator: David Rieff, author, journalist and policy analyst
Panelists:
'The Roots of the Immigration Debate in the United States'
Dr Hidetaka Hirota, visiting scholar to the Heyman Center for the Humanities & Substitute Assistant Professor of History, The City University of New York-City College
'Every country in the world is represented on my bus”: Attitudes to Europe’s new multilingualism'
Professor Lorna Carson, School of Linguistics, Speech and Communication Sciences, TCD
'In 'crisis'-refugee protection and its rights based narrative'
Professor Rosemary Byrne, School of Law, TCD
'From securitizing to peacebuilding - alternative responses to the crisis for migrants in Europe'
Professor Gillian Wylie, School of Religions, Peace Studies and Theology, TCD
Registration is free but Required- Register here
For details on the discussions taking place in the Heyman Centre for the Humanities on the 10th of November, please click here.
On Monday the 6th as part of the Trinity Long Room Hubs "Behind the Headlines' discussion series is the "Freedom of Speech: Where Journalism and the Law Collide' discussion lecture which is also part of the ‘Fears, Factions and Fake News’ symposium. Register for this event here
Campus Location: Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute
Accessibility: Yes
Room: Neill Lecture Theatre
Event Category: Alumni, Arts and Culture, Conferences, Lectures and Seminars, Public, Special events
Type of Event: One-time event
Audience: Undergrad, Postgrad, Alumni, Faculty & Staff, Public
Cost: Free (but registration is required)
