The McCain Institute hosted the launch of the report, “Defending American Democracy in the Digital Age.” This hybrid public event occurred on Wednesday, September 18, from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET at the McCain Institute at the Barrett & O’Connor Center in Washington, D.C.. Written in partnership with the Cronkite School for Journalism and Mass Communication, the report sheds light on the growing threats posed by disinformation campaigns targeting our core institutions and American democratic values.
The launch event featured two panels on the recommendations outlined in the report and Arizona’s impact on the national political and electoral conversations. Experts from academia, civil society, media, and local government drew on their experiences to share valuable insights into how misinformation is being weaponized to undermine public trust, and the steps needed to strengthen democratic resilience.
Panel 1: Defending American Democracy in the Digital Age: Report Recommendations
- Moderator: Paul Fagan, Democracy Programs Director, McCain Institute
- Panelist: Rachael Dean Wilson, German Marshall Fund/Alliance for Securing Democracy
- Panelist: Jim Ludes, Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, Salve Regina University
- Panelist: Kristy Roschke, Walter Cronkite School for Journalism and Mass Communication, ASU
Panel 2: The Arizona Effect: Arizona’s Impact on National Elections & Politics
- Moderator: Paul Fagan, Democracy Programs Director, McCain Institute
- Panelist: Stephen Richer, County Recorder of Maricopa County
- Panelist: Dianna Náñez, Arizona Luminaria
- Panelist: Jane Andersen, Conservative Agenda for Arizona