The DiMenna-Nyselius Library will present “Information Anarchy: A Discussion of Media Consumption and Misinformation,” on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 6 p.m. The virtual event will examine the importance of media literacy and will coincide with Media Literacy Week. Molly Lamendola ’22, editor-in-chief of The Mirror, will moderate the event and will be joined by panel members Gayle Alberda, PhD, assistant professor politics, Michael Andreychik, PhD, professor of psychology, Adam Rugg, PhD, associate professor of communication, Jennifer Schindler-Ruwisch, PhD, APRN, FNP, assistant professor of public health, Matthew Schirano, MLIS, senior research librarian and instruction coordinator, and Matthew Tullis, MFA, assistant professor of English. 

“Media literacy is an essential skill in being a savvy consumer and democratic citizen,” said Schirano. “The controversies surrounding the Covid-19 vaccines and the 2020 presidential election are perfect examples of this. It's my hope that this event will illustrate the many ways that media literacy can benefit us both on an individual level and also as a society.”

The event will bring faculty from various disciplines and backgrounds together with librarians to discuss the ways media literacy is relevant to their respective disciplines. Dialogue will explore the importance of media literacy and its widespread impact on society.

“Unfortunately, with misinformation's ubiquitous presence on social media everyone must be vigilant in regard to the information they receive, consume, and share,” said Dr. Rugg. “Importantly, we also must discuss the larger structures of our media environment that incentivize the sharing of misinformation and also think about larger solutions to these problems beyond individual responsibility. I hope that by attending this event people will not only become more diligent with their own information diets, but start to think broadly about larger solutions to the problem.”