Events
We host public events with thought leaders to inform folks of important problems and workshop actionable steps and long-term solutions.
In addition to hosting public events, the Media and Democracy Project meets virtually twice-monthly on Mondays. We aim to better understand and respond to the factors that influence public opinion, voters and democracy. Register for a meeting here.
OCT 4
2023
A conversation w/Prof. Ruth Ben-Ghiat:
"How Media and Journalism Can Defend Democracy from Fascism"

Fascism is on the rise in our country as Nazis parade through our streets and candidates for office issue calls to violence. Professor Ben-Ghiat, an expert on the "strongman" playbook, joins us to discuss the role journalism has to play in defending democracy against authoritarian demagogues.
Sign up for the event here.
JULY 19
2023
Why the Media Needs a Major Reset in the Age of MAGA Extremism

With one party becoming authoritarian and promoting dangerous lies, “both-sidesism” has become a threat to our democracy. Dan Froomkin (PressWatchers.org) joined us to discuss how the media should respond to, and cover, the current threats of MAGA extremism.
JUNE 6
2023
How Giant Media Companies & Dark Money Sabotage the FCC & Democracy

Gigi Sohn, a recent nominee of President Biden for the Federal Communication Commission, discussed how her nomination was sabotaged by Big Telecom, dark money, right wing extremist groups, and media oligarchs, as well as other issues shaping media and democracy.
Gigi Sohn is one of the nation’s leading public advocates for open, affordable and democratic communications networks.
MAY 9
2023
What Can We Do to Solve the Crisis of Journalism and Fix Our FCC?

Robert McChesney, Professor of Communication at University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign joined us for an engaging discussion and Q&A about proposed solutions to the crisis of local journalism and media diversity.
FEB 25
2023
Screening and Discussion of Mr. Jones

Andrea Chalupa, author / screenwriter of "Mr. Jones" and co-host of the podcast Gaslit Nation. Streamed screening of "Mr. Jones" followed by Q&A with Andrea.
APR 12
2022
Join our Fight Against #HateForProfit and Disinformation

Nandini Jammi, co-founder Sleeping Giants and Check-My-Ads. Pioneer activist in defunding hate-for-profit and disinformation via adtech and brand awareness.
DEC 15
2021
Saving Democracy Through Local Journalism

Peter Shaplen, Journalist, AP Mark Twain Award winner, (co-hosted with Secure Elections Network).
JUN 21
2021
Dark Money: Poison of American Democracy

U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, author of The Scheme: How the Right Wing Used Dark Money to Capture the Supreme Court, (co-hosted with Blue-Wave Brigade).
MAY 15
2021
People You May Know: Screening and Director Q&A

Katharina Gellein Viken, co-director People You May Know, an exploration into the political alliance among religious fundamentalists, oligarchs, and Cambridge Analytica's shell companies that have fundamentally shifted the balance of politics in the United States.
FEB 25 2021
The Unholy Alliance: How Christian Nationalists, Plutocrats & Disinformation Platforms Sabotage Democracy

Anne Nelson, author of Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right.
AUG 20
2020
Media and Democracy - What You Can - and Need to Do

Robert W. McChesney, co-author of Rich Media. Poor Democracy" & "Dollarocracy: How the Money and Media Election Complex Is Destroying America, co-founder of Free Press.
JUN 27 2020
The Brainwashing of My Dad: How the Rise of the Right-Wing Media Changed a Father and Divided Our Nation--And How We Can Fight Back: Screening and Director Q&A

MAY 28
2020
How to combat disinformation / misinformation

Nora Benavides, a civil and human rights attorney.
DEC 19
2019
Oligarchy vs Democracy - What Can Activists Do?
