The Kelly Writers House team of Julia Bloch, Andrew Beal, Al Filreis, Allison Katz, and Jessica Lowenthal has been awarded a Draw Down the Lightning grant to support programming on the theme of truth and disinformation. Truth and Disinformation in the Writing Arts is an interdisciplinary exploration of the role of the writing arts in truth-telling, examining how literature, journalism, and media can navigate and counteract disinformation. Through public forums, readings, workshops, and discussions, the project will investigate critical questions about the nature of truth, who defines it, and how it can be safeguarded in an era of political and digital upheaval. Addressing urgent challenges such as the collapse of fact-checking, media polarization, and AI-generated misinformation, the initiative aligns with Penn’s strategic priorities on democracy, truth, and trust. By leveraging creative and journalistic practices, the project seeks to develop innovative approaches to strengthening democratic values in an increasingly complex information landscape.
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