2017 Downtown Lecture Series
The Future of Elections: Who and What Can We Trust?
Oct. 11, 2017
Moderator: Christopher Conover
Kate Kenski, Samara Klar, Carolyn Lukensmeyer
A Conversation with the Executive Director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse, Carolyn Lukensmeyer
As identity politics, partisan incivility, media, and special interests reshape both the country and the vote, this discussion considers the pivotal role of trustworthiness in maintaining a democratic society and whether elections as we know them have a future.
Redefining Journalism in the Post-Truth Era
Oct. 19, 2017
Nancy Sharkey and Dean Baquet
An Interview with the Executive Editor of The New York Times, Dean Baquet
In an age where the facts are up for grabs, The New York Times not only reports the news, but also frequently appears in the headlines for challenging government obfuscation and dishonesty. Join us for a one-on-one conversation with Executive Editor Dean Baquet on redefining journalism and safeguarding its integrity in these unprecedented times.
What The News Doesn't Tell You About Rising Global Conflict
Oct. 26, 2017
Moderator: Albert Bergesen
Faten Ghosn, Alex Braithwaite, Ambassador Daniel Benjamin
A Conversation with the former State Department Head of Counterterrorism, Ambassador Daniel Benjamin
While news coverage of conflict is plentiful, it often does not divulge the inside stories behind the rise in authoritarian rule, terrorism, and civil war that shape much of our world today. This conversation with counterterrorism expert Ambassador Daniel Benjamin reveals what the news won’t about international politics, diplomacy, and the future of global conflict in its many guises.