Social media platforms allow people to connect and share information at an incredible scale, but with these benefits come challenges including security, privacy, and human rights concerns. Citizens, businesses, civil society, labour groups, governments, and platforms alike are struggling to balance these risks and rewards. This panel discussion examines how social media platforms currently function, how they could function to achieve societal goals, and what is required to achieve these goals.
The embedding of social media platforms into peoples’ daily routines is blurring boundaries between public and private spheres, altering how we understand the logic of civic engagement and democracy. Some view the erosion of these boundaries as a source of optimism about the emancipatory potential of social media. Others contend these platforms are further entrenching economic and social inequalities. A deeper understanding of the technological properties of social media platforms is central to harnessing the opportunities they afford while minimizing their negative potentials.
WHAT: The University of Ottawa’s Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue and iVote/jeVote invite the media to attend the public discussion Social Media & Platform Politics: the (un)intended Consequences of Social Media.
WHO:
- Moderator: Althia Raj (Ottawa Bureau Chief, Huffington Post)
- Dr. Tarleton Gillespie (Microsoft Research New England)
- Jane Lytvynenko (BuzzFeed News)
- Dr. Sandra González-Bailón (Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania)
- With closing remarks by: Stéphane Perrault, Chief Electoral Officer
WHEN: Today, Wednesday, November 14, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Huguette Labelle Hall, Tabaret Building, Room 112, 75 Laurier Avenue East
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 I map
Event will be live streamed
For additional information: