With the launch of the Facebook Journalism Project last week, the social media giant took a major step forward in attempts to fight the proliferation of fake news online, while also acknowledging its role as an influential distributor of information.
It was a significant moment for an industry in turmoil, with the media facing challenges from broken business models to the democratization of the ability to publish information to the web.
Facebook’s role in the evolution of media online was just one issue discussed at “Future of Democracy: Preserving A Vibrant Civic Media,” an event hosted by the Skoll Foundation, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and the Institute for the Future in Palo Alto, California. Representatives of organizations founded by individuals such as Jeff Skoll, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg gathered to discuss the question of how to preserve democracy when independent media is at risk.
About the author
Catherine Cheneycatherinecheney
Catherine Cheney is the Senior Editor for Special Coverage at Devex. She leads the editorial vision of Devex’s news events and editorial coverage of key moments on the global development calendar. Catherine joined Devex as a reporter, focusing on technology and innovation in making progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Prior to joining Devex, Catherine earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Yale University, and worked as a web producer for POLITICO, a reporter for World Politics Review, and special projects editor at NationSwell. She has reported domestically and internationally for outlets including The Atlantic and the Washington Post. Catherine also works for the Solutions Journalism Network, a non profit organization that supports journalists and news organizations to report on responses to problems.
