NPC Headliners Book Event: Joan Donovan, Emily Dreyfuss and Brian Friedberg, "MEME WARS"

One of the leading experts on media and disinformation, Dr. Joan Donovan, Research Director of the Shorenstein Center on Media Politics and Policy at Harvard, will be joined by co-authors Emily Dreyfuss and Brian Friedberg at a National Press Club in-person Headliners Book Event on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 6:30 PM.

Donovan, Dreyfuss and Friedberg will discuss their new book “Meme Wars: The Untold Story of the Online Battles Upending Democracy in America” that dives into how bad actors are using hate-based memes and social media to spread disinformation online and to organize various  communities that are damaging democracy in the U.S.

The book shows step-by-step how memes are used to bring together a variety of right-wing communities online and then drive real-life movements like Stop the Steal.  It also illustrates how key figures like Steve Bannon, Nick Fuentes, Alex Jones, Richard Spencer, and Milo Yiannopoulos used social media to foment outrage, exacerbate already polarizing fissures in U.S. culture, and ultimately lead them to form an uneasy coalition to support Former President Trump. 

The program will include a question-and-answer session with Donovan, Dreyfuss and Friedberg. To submit a question in advance for the speaker, put MEME in the subject line and email to [email protected].

Tickets cost $5 for members of the National Press Club and $10 for the general public. Pre-ordered books will be available for pickup and signing at the event. Attendees will also be able to purchase books at the door.