Hannah Waltz, the U.S. Free Expression Coordinator for PEN America, conversed with journalist and author of The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto, Charles Blow; acclaimed journalist and op-ed columnist for the New York Times who appears frequently on CNN, Tom Huang; and National President of the Society of Professional Journalists, Rebecca Aguilar. Today in the United States, journalism, whose grounding principle is considered by many to be a mission to report the truth to the public, is under threat. Waves of misinformation have invaded mainstream platforms, leaving readers and our nation's institutions to grapple with the facts, and challenging the fragile fabric of our democracy. News sources that were once independent are being consolidated into massive, bulky media conglomerates with single-minded agendas. Newsrooms, too, remain homogeneous, with limited representation, despite promises to do better.

Within this fraught landscape, the Dallas Literary Festival, in partnership with PEN America, invited you to participate in a town hall featuring journalists and prominent cultural critics who will share their experiences navigating the issues of modern, American journalism. This in-person event featured an enlightening panel of both local and national experts who illuminated the obstacles at-large and provided insightful guidance for the paths ahead.

Location: African American Museum of Dallas, Auditorium 24

Supporting Authors & Independent Bookstores:

Please consider buying books by our festival authors from the official Dallas Literary Festival bookstore Interabang, or from your own local independent bookseller.