SOLD OUT

Fake news is almost old news—almost. 38% of us have accidentally shared fake news; misinformation is now an essential part of many political strategies; social media algorithms shape everything from what we know to who. In this age of untruths and half truths, we ask a panel of journalists to share their vision of the future of news. Even if we know the challenges facing this industry, how do we address them? This isn’t just solutions journalism, it’s solutions for journalism. What can news outlets do to stay relevant—and heard—in the 2020s? How are journalists adapting? And what habits can readers adopt (or get out of) to support the truth? Bestselling author and journalist Omar El Akkad; Globe and Mail reporter Andrea Woo; former Globe & Mail columnist Elizabeth Renzetti, and Human Rights Reporting-awarded journalist Brandi Morin search for answers. Moderated by Kamal Al-Solaylee.

Event Participants:

Kamal Al-Solaylee

KAMAL AL-SOLAYLEE is the author of the award-winning books Intolerable: A Memoir of Extremes, Brown: What Being Brown in the World Today Means (to Everyone), and Return: Why We Go Back to Where We Come From. He is director of the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media at the University of British Columbia.

Omar El Akkad

OMAR EL AKKAD is an author and journalist. His debut novel, American War, was listed as one of the best books of the year by GQ, NPR, and Esquire. His new novel, What Strange Paradise, won the 2021 Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Pacific Northwest Booksellers’ Award, and the Oregon Book Award. He joins the Vancouver Writers Fest as Guest Curator in 2022. (EGYPT/ONTARIO/UNITED STATES)

Brandi Morin

BRANDI MORIN is an award-winning French/Cree/ Iroquois journalist, and one of Canada’s most prominent voices on Indigenous issues. She won a Human Rights Reporting award for tracking the progress of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Our Voice of Fire is her debut memoir. (ALBERTA)

Elizabeth Renzetti

ELIZABETH RENZETTI is a former columnist and feature writer for The Globe and Mail, and the author of two books: Based on a True Story, a national bestseller, and Shrewed, a collection of original essays, both published by House of Anansi Press. (ONTARIO)

Andrea Woo

ANDREA WOO, a reporter for The Globe and Mail, is passionate about issues of substance use, mental health, and drug policy, and giving voice to those who have historically been poorly served by the media. Before joining The Globe, Andrea reported for The Vancouver Sun and various music publications. (BRITISH COLUMBIA)