Purdue professor to lead D.C. discussion on coping with media pluralism

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Since the production of the first BlackBerry, Apple’s first iBook, and the USB flash drives 20 years ago, technology and mass media have changed drastically. What have not changed as much are the laws and regulations for new mass media. Can society find a balance between continuing to diversify mass media and embrace its uniqueness, while setting boundaries? Should society put in place mass media regulations and legislation?

Sorin Adam Matei, associate dean of research and graduate education, and professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication, has organized, in collaboration with the French Laboratory of Excellence in Creative Industries, the preconference “Riding or Lashing the Waves: Regulating Media for Diversity in a Time of Uncertainty,” to discuss whether regulatory and policy changes are necessary to rein in social media’s worst instincts or not. The event will be Friday (May 24) in Washington, D.C., at the National Press Club before the 69th annual International Communication Association Conference. More information on the event can be found online and registration is open.

Panelists will discuss the question, “What are the regulatory, policy, and production rules that can make future media diverse, embracing pluralism of perspectives and ideas, user-focused and civically responsible, while remaining profitable?” The conference will consider opinions on both sides of the aisle, highlighting the need to balance a healthy civic life with freedom of expression.

The discussion will have a host of speakers, including Nicolas Curien, a French academic, politician and media commissioner of the French FCC (Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel), and David Weinberger, author of a new book about social media, titled “Everyday Chaos.” Curien is one of many French participants, as the preconference is a cooperative event between leading French and U.S. academics and practitioners. Weinberger will conclude the conference in his discussion titled “How Not to Handle Chaotic Knowledge.” 

Writer: Madison Sanneman, 317-903-5642, msannema@purdue.edu 

Media Contact: Joe Paul, 765-494-9541, paul102@purdue.edu 

Source: Sorin Matei, 765-494-3665, smatei@purdue.edu