Václav Havel European Dialogues debate invitaton

We invite you to the Václav Havel European Dialogues debate on information and democracy organized by Václav Havel Library.

● Date: Tuesday, 10th May 2022, 18.00 – 20.00
● Venue: Blue Auditorium, Charles University, Celetná 20

Never in history has so much information spread in such a short time among so many people. But it still feels like getting to the truth has never been so difficult. Alongside factual information, there is a vast amount of inaccuracies, false information, myths and deliberate untruths out there. For many people it is hard, if not impossible, to distinguish in this mess between that which is true or likely and that which is untrue and false. But can a state assume the role of guardian of the truth without irreparably violating civil rights and freedoms? What role should the EU play in this area? And in what kind of cases may it do so? Should classic and digital media bear responsibility for the veracity of the information they spread? Or is intensive, long-term education in neglected fields, such as logic, cognitive thinking and the philosophy of science, the only answer?

17.30 – 18.00 Registration
18.00 – 18.20 Opening: Tomáš Karásek, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, CU, Michael Žantovský, Director of the Václav Havel Library
18.20 – 18.30 Opening address: Věra Jourová, Deputy chairwoman of the EC for values and transparency
18.30 – 19.55 Debate
Guests:
Lydia Cacho Ribeiro – internationally acclaimed Mexican journalist, human rights activist and writer living in exile in Spain, since 2021 a chair of IJ4EU (Investigative Journalism for Europe) fund
Pavla Holcová – investigative journalist, founder of investigace.cz and recipient of many domestic and international awards including the Pulitzer Prize
Chair: Alice Němcová Tejkalová, journalist and academic, Faculty of Social Sciences, CU
19.55 – 20.00 Closing address: Michael Žantovský, Director of the Václav Havel Library

* The programme will take place in English and Czech with simultaneous interpretation into both languages. Free admission until the capacity of the hall is reached.