There is a direct connection between violent attacks against marginalized groups (e.g., against Haitians in Ohio after the Presidential debate and violence against Asians during the COVID shutdown) and the spread of misinformation and its more menacing cousin, disinformation. In both instances, spreading false information has affected our ability to improve public health, ensure public safety, maintain a stable democracy, and more. Developing critical media literacy skills equips future lawyers with the skills they need to evaluate sources and detect bias. As information professionals, we must enhance our training approach to empower learners examine media and disrupt the spread of disinformation critically. Training others on the tenets of critical media literacy can be a tool to fight against the steady flow of dangerously false information. AI and evolving technologies are speeding up and making disinformation more sophisticated. At this program, librarians will learn how to use critical media literacy to stay ahead of mis/disinformation and fight back with information/media literacy. Our training approach must recognize both the imminent threat of disinformation and the inadequacy of our tools such as the outdated CRAAP test that we have relied on for so long.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Law librarians, information professionals, and guests committed to fighting discrimination.

TAKEAWAYS:

1. Participants will be able to distinguish the difference between misinformation and disinformation, and recognizing how these manipulate the audience to respond in a particular way.
2. Participants will compare the ways in which misinformation dangerously impacts marginalized communities in Portland and surrounding areas.
3. Participants will be able to improve their training using critical media literacy techniques to disrupt the spread of false information and disrupt disinformation.

SPEAKERS:

• Christian Goering, Ph.D, University of Arkansas, College of Education & Health Professions
• Randy Blazak, Ph.D, Oregon Coalition Against Hate Crime

COORDINATOR:

• Zanada Joyner, University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law, Thurgood Marshall Law Library

AALL BODY OF KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS: Professionalism + Leadership At Every Level, Teaching + Training

CANCELLATION AND OTHER POLICIES:

No refunds will be given for any purchased AALL conference recording. This applies to non-AALL members only as the recordings are free for AALL members.

The opinions shared during this program represent the views of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Recording, capturing, or using AI tools to duplicate, transcribe, or otherwise reproduce an AALL program in any form is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from AALL. This includes, but is not limited to audio, video, or any other content shared. By accessing an AALL recording, you agree to adhere to this policy.