With AI, deep fakes and online influencers adding to the already complex landscape of media disruption and information integrity, the library is partnering with area experts to take a close look at how news and information have changed in the last decade. Knox County Public Library is pleased to present Truth and Consequences: A series of film and conversations on information integrity in today’s world from April 25-28, 2024. This is a follow-up to its 2016 symposium. All events are free and open to the public.
Screening and Discussion: A Tennessee Waltz: Ray Blanton’s Last Dance
Thursday, April 25 | 7-9 | East Tennessee History Center (601 S. Gay Street)
Murder-for-hire and paid pardons – discover a Tennessee governor’s buried history in WVLT’s first-of-its-kind investigation into former Gov. Ray Blanton and his administration. A discussion of the documentary and the role of the media in exposing the scandal follows with film creator, WVLT’s Brittany Tarwater, and veteran journalist Tom Humphrey.
Panel Discussion: AI, Deep Fakes, Online Influencers & Political Communication
Friday, April 26 | 9-10:30 a.m. | East Tennessee History Center
Presenters from CCI Information Integrity Institute, UTK:
- Ben Horne, PhD
- Mariea Hoy, PhD
- Mike Kotowski, PhD
- Catherine Luther, PhD
- Martin Riedl, PhD
Conversation: First Amendment, Social Media and Democracy
Friday, April 26 | 10:45-noon | East Tennessee History Center
Presenters:
Glenn Reynolds, author of Social Media Upheaval (2019), is the Beauchamp Brogan Distinguished Professor of Law at UTK.
Jesse Mayshark is the co-founder of Compass, an online news site that provides news, insights and analysis of Knoxville and Knox County government, politics and business.
Screening: Marie (1985)
Sunday, April 28 | 3:30-5 | Central Cinema (1205 N. Central St)
Sissy Spacek stars as whistle-blower Marie Ragghianti in this dramatized story of the federal investigation of the pardon and parole corruption under Tennessee Gov. Ray Blanton. PG-13. Presented by TAMIS.
Truth and Consequences was made possible through partnership with these organizations:
- Institute of Information Integrity, UTK
- Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, Institute of American Civics
- WVLT
- Compass
- Leadership Knoxville
- Friends of the Library
- East Tennessee Historical Society
Mary Pom Claiborne is assistant director for marketing, communications and development for Knox County Public Library