Spreading Disinformation Through Defamation Litigation — The growing surge in libel lawsuits meant to obscure the truth
(Left to right) Moderator Matthew Kelley, Leonard Downie, Jr., Katie Townsend and Chad Bowman.
From election deniers to anti-vaxxers, plaintiffs are filing libel lawsuits to defend their false narratives and punish journalists for countering their disinformation. Our panel of experienced defamation defense lawyers and distinguished journalists on the ASU Cronkite School faculty will discuss this phenomenon, how it’s affecting the practice of journalism and the law, and what can be done about it.
Moderator
Matthew Kelley, of Counsel, Ballard Spahr LLP.
Panelists
Leonard Downie, Jr., former Washington Post executive editor and professor of practice at the Cronkite School;
Katie Townsend, deputy executive director and legal director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press;
Chad Bowman, Partner, Ballard Spahr LLP.
EVENT DETAILS
Spreading Disinformation Through Defamation Litigation — The growing surge in libel lawsuits meant to obscure the truth
Presented by Cronkite Live
Thursday, March 21
6 p.m. EST • Free
At Arizona State University Barrett & O’Connor Washington Center
1800 I Street NW
Washington, D.C.