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Constitution Day lecture is free, open to the public: ProPublica editor-in-chief to discuss ‘An Enemy of the People Speaks: Fake News, Propaganda and the Age of Trump’

Image of ProPublica Editor-in-Chief Stephen Engelberg
ProPublica Editor-in-Chief Stephen Engelberg

DANBURY, CONN. — Editor-in-Chief Stephen Engelberg of investigative journalism newsroom ProPublica will speak at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17, at Ives Concert Hall in White Hall on the Western Connecticut State University Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. His lecture, “An Enemy of the People Speaks: Fake News, Propaganda and the Age of Trump,” focuses on the importance of reporting in our current political climate. The event celebrates WCSU’s annual Constitution Day; it is free and the public is invited.

Professor of History and Non-Western Cultures Dr. Marcy May is coordinating the university’s Constitution Day observance this year.

May said, “Freedom of speech remains one of our most cherished Constitutional rights. Engelberg will be able to share his thoughts about how we balance respect for the presidency as an institution and the need for accurate journalism today.”

Engelberg, the founding managing editor of ProPublica from 2008 to 2012, became editor-in-chief in 2013. He is a past winner of two George Polk Awards for reporting and is the co-author of “Germs: Biological Weapons and America’s Secret War.”

The nonprofit ProPublica was founded in 2008 and is a strong advocate for free press. The staff of more than 75 journalists has covered topics ranging from immigration, health care reform and climate change to President Trump’s business relationships. Just a few of ProPublica’s awards include four Pulitzer Prizes, most recently in 2017 for public service, two Emmys, three Peabody Awards, five George Polk Awards and six McArthur Foundation Awards for both Creative & Effective Institutions and Journalism & Media.

The next day, Tuesday, Sept. 18, as a follow-up to the Constitution Day talk, WCSU faculty will conduct a Teach-In from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in the Alumni Circle on the WCSU Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury (rain location is Warner Hall). Utilizing an open-mic format, participants will be encouraged to ask questions and express opinions about Engelberg’s talk.

Participating faculty will be Professor of History & Non-Western Cultures Dr. Kevin Gutzman, Professor of Philosophy & Humanistic Studies Dr. DL Stephenson, Professor of Psychology Dr. Shane Murphy, Professor of Anthropology Dr. Rob Whittemore, Professor of Economics Dr. Rotua Lumbantobing, Associate Professor of Philosophy & Humanistic Studies Stuart Dalton, Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Howell Williams and Haas Librarian Russell Gladstone. The public is invited to the Teach-In, as well.

 

 

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