Media, politics, and society in a post-truth era

Media, politics, and society in a post-truth era

The media is a crucial institution and a powerful political tool. Wielded responsibly, it is central to a functioning democracy. But with the rise of unchecked communication platforms, misinformation, and polarized politics, many are tuning out diverse or objective information in favour of messages that confirm their existing beliefs. How can we consume media more responsibly, intellectualize political discussion and mend the damage of division?  

We invite you to watch New York Times journalist Susanne Craig and associate professor of political science Melanee Thomas as they discuss political angst, free speech, the important role the media plays in the current environment and how the Trump era has changed the newsroom.

Watch the recording


Meet the Panellists

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Susanne Craig (BA'91)

Investigative reporter, The New York Times 

Susanne Craig is an investigative reporter. Since 2016 her reporting has focused on the finances and taxes of Donald Trump. Ms. Craig has won numerous awards during her career, including a Pulitzer Prize in 2019 for work that shattered Donald Trump’s myth that he is a self-made billionaire. 

Since joining The New York Times in 2010, Ms. Craig has produced in-depth articles on a wide range of subjects, including corporate malfeasance and state-house corruption.  

She has covered Wall Street for The Times and has served as Albany bureau chief. Previously, Ms. Craig was a reporter at The Wall Street Journal and worked at The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper. 

She graduated from the University of Calgary and lives in New York.   

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Melanee Thomas, PhD

Associate professor and graduate program director, Department of Political Science, UCalgary     

Melanee Thomas is an Associate Professor and the current Graduate Program Director of the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focusses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequalities, with a particular focus on political attitudes and behaviour.  

Dr. Thomas’ latest publication is Gendered News Coverage and Women as Heads of Government (Political Communication, 2020).