THIBODAUX, La. — Do you think social media is at its best when it acts as a free flow of information? Or should the companies step in to ban misinformation, hateful content or trolls?
Nicholls students will ask and answer that very question next week as part of the Student Speech Forum series. Two students will debate the topic “Should social media platforms ban questionable content?” followed by a public portion where members of the Nicholls community ask questions and make points. The event, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 in the Peltier Auditorium, is free and open to the public.
“The speech forums are always engaging and usually surprising,” said Dr. Rya Butterfield, speech assistant professor. “The students do a great job of constructing solid and unique arguments. The surprises usually occur during the public forum portion of the event. We all have a tendency to assume that we have a better understanding of how other people think about issues than we really do. It is eye-opening when you realize the various perspectives that exist within the Nicholls community.”
The pro speaker is Dominique Dumas, a pre-pharmacy major from Gibson, while the con speaker is Madison Brunet, a psychology major with a government minor from Houma. The host of the event is Brandon Thomas, a mass communication student from Luling, Louisiana.
The event gives students an opportunity to practice the skills of being engaged citizens, while also providing an example of what town hall-style meetings are like.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2, 2019
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
