ONA Local Salon: Fact Checking Political Leaders' Social Media

When political leaders post on social media, how does that differ from a speech or press conference? What are the responsibilities of journalists who cover social media? How do you share incorrect information safely?

On February 9, ONA Local SF/Bay Area invites you to a salon to discuss fact checking and verification for social media, with a special focus on social media from political leaders. We'll invite two guest speakers who have looked at this issue carefully to share their thoughts, and then open up the floor for conversation.

Speakers:

Lam Thuy Vo is a reporter currently digging into social media data for the BuzzFeed Open Lab for Journalism, Technology and the Arts. Previously, she told stories about economics, social issues and web culture through words, graphics and audiovisuals for The Wall Street Journal, NPR and Al Jazeera America. She is a passionate instructor for learners of all levels who has taught at universities and conferences around the world. Say hello to her on Twitter @lamthuyvo.

Tom Trewinnard is the Program Lead on Meedan's open source verification toolkit Check. Tom has worked extensively with journalists in some of the Middle East, US and Europe's leading newsrooms, as well as with citizen journalists from around the world, to research the role of eyewitness media in mainstream coverage of breaking events and to train journalists in verification and geolocation techniques. Tom leads Meedan’s participation in First Draft News and was a contributing author to the Verification Handbook.

Moderator:

Arielle Retting is a copy editor and web producer at Guardian US's San Francisco bureau, which focuses on technology, news and politics on the west coast. Previously she was a multiplatform editor at the Washington Post, and she is interested in the intersection of government and technology.

To encourage open conversation, the Q&A for this event will be off the record, and we will be capping our attendance at 60 people. Pizza and drinks will be provided.

7:00 PM: Door open

7:30 PM: Salon Begins

8:30 PM: Networking and Conversation

9:00 PM: Close Out (and continue at a bar nearby!)

This event is generously hosted and supported by SmartNews: News for All!