This past February 15th, hundreds of people gathered at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York to attend “Where the Truth Lies,” a thought-provoking symposium on the role of propaganda in contemporary society.  

Over the course of the day, a prominent procession of critics, practitioners, scholars, designers, and media-makers explored the place of propaganda in today’s world, moving in on many of the most pressing issues of our time: the role of the media in shaping public opinion, the use of propaganda as an instrument of war, ongoing efforts to study and influence the content of word-of-mouth discussion, and corporate attempts to shape the content of public education. In a series of open discussions guided by David Brancaccio (host of the PBS program “Now”), the ethics of persuasion was at the heart of the day’s agenda.

While the symposium took place and ended on a Friday in February, the issues that came out of it remain pivotal as we ponder whether democracy is still possible in a world where propaganda and public life have become inseparable, and—if it is—whether organized strategies of persuasion endanger or enhance the quality of our social and political life.

Some of the symposium’s presentations continue to be discussed on the Internet and in a number of publications. This convinces us that the issues raised are of moment to people. As the organizers of the first “Where the Truth Lies” symposium, we feel obligated to provide an interactive environment where people can engage in an ongoing discussion of contemporary propaganda, visual persuasion, and the role of rhetoric in public life. In this spirit, we invite and encourage you to share your thoughts, insights and concerns in response to issues addressed by the symposium, or to issues you think need to be addressed.

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