Jeff Schober, a writer and presidential historian, will present When ‘Fake News’ Is True: Grover Cleveland was a Big, Fat Liar” in a program hosted by the American Democracy Project at SUNY Fredonia.
What happens when a news story is dismissed as false but turns out to be true?
That question will be explored when the American Democracy Project at SUNY Fredonia hosts a program with writer and presidential historian Jeff Schober on Friday, Oct. 2, from 11 to 11:50 a.m. in Williams Center Room S204-ABC.
Schober, a retired English and journalism teacher from Frontier High School and co-founder of BuffaloTales.net, presents “When ‘Fake News’ Is True: Grover Cleveland was a Big, Fat Liar.”
The event is free and open to the campus and community. Light refreshments will be served during the event.
Schober explores “a remarkable episode” from President Grover Cleveland’s second term in office. After Cleveland underwent a secret medical procedure, a journalist reported the story —only to have the president and those around him deny the account and discredit the reporter. Schober’s presentation uses the episode to examine presidential communication, journalism, credibility, and the challenges citizens face when determining what information they can trust.
Dr. Angela McGowan-Kirsch, who serves as chair of Fredonia’s American Democracy Project and is an associate professor of Communication, hopes the program will give students an opportunity to “think critically about the information they encounter and the important role an informed public play in a democracy.”
“Although this story took place more than a century ago, the questions it raises about credibility, journalism and how we determine what information to trust remain incredibly relevant,” she added.
Schober is vice president and a trustee of the Buffalo Presidential Center, whose mission includes increasing public awareness of Western New York’s contributions to the presidency and national affairs. He holds a journalism degree from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in English and history from the State University at Buffalo. In addition, he is the author of 10 books.
The program is sponsored by SUNY Fredonia’s American Democracy Project (ADP) with support from a Faculty Student Association grant. ADP programming provides opportunities for students and members of the campus community to engage with issues related to democracy, civic participation, and informed citizenship.
In conjunction with the program, a voter registration drive will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Williams Center.
