Fighting disinformation: CMU hosts public forum with justice minister and media experts

On Thursday, Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) in Winnipeg will be hosting an event that's open to the public called 'Social Media Disinformation: How to Prevent, Identify, and Combat.'

"This event is from Massey College from the University of Toronto, and it's kind of like Massey College on the road," says the president of CMU, Cheryl Pauls. "There will be a time of panel and some incredible leaders in the field to speak together, learn together, and find ways of being hopeful."

The three-hour free event will start at 9 a.m. on May 1, and people can attend in person at the CMU Library, 2299 Grant Ave. or by livestreaming. 

"The idea here is to understand what is going on with disinformation and ways to address that concern," says Pauls. "It is also here to grow the desire for a common love of what is true, of truth-telling, of trustworthy speech as a way of living, and a way of doing professional media. 

The Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General from the province of Manitoba, Matt Wiebe, will be one of the speakers during the event. 

"It's kind of for everyone. It is for those who are leading organizations. It's for those who are trying to find their way through what is true and what is not true, for people in their personal lives as much as it is for people who are trying to work within all kinds of organizations. It is intended to bring leaders across government and civil society together to be able to talk together in how they are finding truth, in justice."

Pauls shares that some of the intent behind the event is to have true conversations, regardless of where a person stands on any one particular issue.

"In our society at times, we've put absolute values around 'unity' or 'diversity.' As if they have these fixed meanings. When you have an idea that unity doesn't mean sameness, it means bothering to take the time to listen, to eat with, to enjoy, to laugh with people with whom you diverge and disagree."

There will be a networking lunch after the event for people to connect further on the topic.