Introduction
The rise of platform societies has fundamentally reshaped the information landscape, presenting both unprecedented opportunities for knowledge sharing and profound challenges to information integrity. The rapid proliferation of misinformation, disinformation, and manipulated content, often amplified by algorithmic biases, erodes public trust, fuels social polarization, and poses a significant threat to democratic processes. Information integrity is increasingly recognized as a precondition for success in delivering the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From ensuring informed decision-making on issues like climate change and public health to fostering inclusive and accountable governance, access to reliable and trustworthy information is essential for achieving both the current United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and future global agendas.
Combating this complex issue demands a multi-faceted, collaborative approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of technological, social, political, economic, and cultural factors, as well as its direct impact on sustainable development. Join the IFLA Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression and York University Libraries on May 1, 2025 for a one-day seminar that aims to foster a dynamic and inclusive dialogue, exploring the multifaceted challenges to information integrity and collaboratively forging a common agenda for libraries and information organizations that will support building a healthy and trustworthy information ecosystem.
Seminar Objectives
This seminar will:
- Forge a common agenda for action by libraries and library associations
- Analyze the multifaceted challenges to information integrity in the platform ecosystem
- Explore innovative approaches and best practices for promoting information integrity
Seminar Format
The seminar will consist of a combination of:
- Panel discussions featuring diverse perspectives
- Keynote presentation from a leading expert
- A certificate of attendance will be provided to registered attendees
Agenda
| 9:00 - 9:30 | REGISTRATION AND WELCOME |
| 9:30 - 9:45 | WELCOME ADDRESS Joseph Hafner, York University Jonathan Hernández, IIBI-UNAM, IFLA FAIFE Diane Koen, IFLA North American Regional Division Leslie Weir, Library and Archives Canada, IFLA President Elect |
| 9:45 - 10:30 | KEYNOTE SPEAKER "Navigating the Ethical Challenges of Machine Learning and Generative AI" - Fuyuki Kurasawa, Director, Global Digital Citizenship Lab, York University Moderator: Jonathan Hernández, IIBI-UNAM, IFLA FAIFE |
| 10:30 - 10:45 | BREAK |
| 10:45 - 11:45 | PANEL - THE FRONT LINES OF INFORMATION: ADDRESSING CHALLENGES IN CANADA'S LIBRARIES "Ontario Libraries: Facing New Frontiers and Challenges" - Michelle Arbuckle, Executive Director, Ontario Library Association "The Changing Focus of Library Challenges in Canada" - Jim Turk, Centre for Freedom of Expression "Shielding Students from Censorship: Book Banning in School Libraries" - Wendy Burch Jones, Ontario School Library Association Moderator: Christina De Castell, IFLA FAIFE |
| 11:45 - 12:15 | SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS |
| 12:15 - 13:15 | LUNCH BREAK |
| 13:15 - 14:15 | INFORMATION INTEGRITY AND INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM NOW: GLOBAL UPDATES AND FUTURE HORIZONS Jonathan Hernández, IIBI-UNAM, IFLA FAIFE Mike Nyby, CFLA-FCAB Intellectual Freedom Committee Maria de Brasdefer, IFLA HQ Lisa Radha Vohra, Toronto Public Library Joseph Hafner, York University |
| 14:15 - 15:15 | THE POLITICS OF TRUTH: RHETORIC, REALITY, AND ALGORITHMIC INFLUENCE "Revisiting the Master's Tools: Agency, autonomy, and authority in an era of AI algorithms" - Jeff Newman, University of Toronto "New struggles for old problems: the philosophy and politics of rhetoric vs. truth" - Sam Popowich, University of Winnipeg Moderator: Mariann Schjeide, IFLA FAIFE |
| 15:15 - 15:30 | BREAK |
| 15:15 - 16:30 | PANEL DISCUSSION "What is the value of the 'Truth'?: Exploring today's media landscape and the culture and its impact on the next generation" - Gavin Barrett, CEO Barrett and Welsh Advertising; Bill Hutchinson, Program Coordinator at Seneca College, Journalism, Former CTV News Toronto Anchor; Amandalino Letterio, National Anchor/Producer/ Reporter for Global News Anwar Knight, Reporter/Producer at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Moderator: Justin Poy, President and Creative Director, The Justin Poy Agency Inc. Host: Jack Leong, York University Libraries |
| 16:30 - 16:45 | WRAP-UP |
Download a PDF copy of the agenda
Thanks to:
Support from the W.P. Scott Library Endowment
York University Program Planning Committee: Teresa Lee, Jack Leong, Lisa Sloniowski, Joseph Hafner
York University Event Planning Committee: Sarah Coysh, Darren Craig, Sydney Daley, Rohan Mahabir, Alan Peng, Pio Sebastiampillai, Parveen Singh & Sean Sweeney
