Media address "fake news" phenomenon at Cedarville forum

Cedarville University’s Center for Political Studies, the Cedarville American Enterprise Institute (AEI) chapter and Pi Sigma Alpha, the student political science organization, will sponsor “Fake News and Actual Accomplishments” on Tuesday, Feb. 6, in the Dixon Ministry Center. This event, held in the recital hall at 7 p.m., will reflect on the first year of President Trump’s leadership.

Panelists include Laura Bischoff, from the Dayton Daily News; Brian Dahlen from WCRF Moody Radio Cleveland; Erik Elken, Fox 45 TV reporter; and Dr. Mark Caleb Smith, chair of the department of history and government at Cedarville.

“Some Christians struggle to separate their faith from partisan politics,” said Dahlen. “Others let their political preferences unwittingly lead to dishonoring government authority. I face this reality every day on my radio show. Lord willing, this important event will enable followers of Jesus to more effectively seek truth in the media, and objectively evaluate the executive branch.”

“The media is under real scrutiny on a daily basis for using a ‘Fake News’ umbrella,” said Elken. “So little trust in the media makes it difficult to get important stories out to an audience without a stigma attached. How do we, as media, maintain or rebuild that trust with the consumer? There are clear biases at the national level, but we can’t let some of those stigmas trickle down to a point where the consumer doesn’t trust any form of media.”

The date of the forum was selected to occur near President Trump's first-year anniversary of his swearing in ceremony.

"We decided to sponsor a forum on President Trump's first year in office because no matter what one thinks of him, Trump is a historic president,” said Smith. “He is unconventional in his conduct and his background. This makes him worth careful consideration.”

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,963 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.