This panel, hosted by the UNC Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP) and the Carolina Association of Black Journalists, took place on October 29, 5-7 PM at the Freedom Forum in Carroll Hall. The event focused on the history, present dynamics, and future challenges of racialized disinformation, particularly how it targets communities of color in the United States to suppress political power and influence election outcomes.

Through insights from CITAP researchers, including Dr. Meredith Clark, Dr. Francesca Tripodi, Dr. Shannon McGregor, and Dr. Daniel Kreiss, the conversation emphasized the structural role of disinformation, its entrenchment in historical narratives, and its amplification through both traditional and social media. Moderator Nia Satterfield Brown, president of the Carolina Association of Black Journalists, guided the discussion, which offered critical reflections and practical approaches to addressing these challenges in both journalism and public discourse.

Topics covered included the economic and social incentives behind disinformation, the role of search algorithms, and the media's responsibility in both reporting and, inadvertently, spreading disinformation. The panel also explored strategies for media literacy, responsible coverage, and the ongoing battle for a multiracial, multi-ethnic democracy against the backdrop of increasing political polarization and racialized disinformation.