Politics and Propaganda in the Age of Social Media

Freie Universität Berlin–Indiana University Joint Speaker Series

The Role of Media in the Digital Age 

Internet and social media have opened the gates for citizens to contribute to public debate and deprived journalists of their previously powerful gatekeeper role. In the early years of internet diffusion, science and politics discussed this development as a promising opportunity to empower citizens to participate in politics and make democracy work better. Meanwhile, after many suspected propaganda attacks and a spate of hate speech and incivility in social media, the dark side of this gatekeeper-less media world became apparent, too.

Martin Emmer (FUB) and John Paolillo (IU) will discuss how political content is transmitted and promoted on YouTube, contextualize the complex networks of propaganda and conspiracy, and explore potential remedies to the spread of hate-speech through social media. The audience will have the opportunity to engage in the discussion during the subsequent Q&A session.

The Freie Universität Berlin - Indiana University joint speaker series aims at bringing together scholars from both institutions to discuss current topics of global politics, stir scientific dialogue and research initiatives and trigger public debate. 

Monday, November 6, 2017, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Indiana University Europe Gateway

Gneisenaustr. 27, 10961 Berlin