May 19, 2024

Farnsworth Presents Keynote Lecture on Disinformation and Political Humor at Conference in Poland

May 2, 2024 by

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a keynote lecture, “Battling Disinformation with Political Humor,” at the Navigating the Digital World of Tomorrow Conference, which was sponsored by the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored books, Producing News in a Time of Disinformation: Information Evaluation Strategies for Journalists and News Consumers and Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Dr. Farnsworth is serving in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.

In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:

What Impact will Pecker’s Testimony have? (CTV News)
“This is something that is going to be going on for several weeks, and this will be one of the most uncomfortable moments of Donald Trump’s life, this week and the next week and the weeks beyond,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2911719
Vindman has huge fundraising lead in 7th District race (Prince William Times)
“A lot of Virginia Democrats like Vindman because he has a national security background that can connect with the prominent military presence in the district,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “His huge fundraising advantage creates a very difficult environment for other Democrats in the race.”

Day 5 of Trump’s Trial Concludes (CTV News)
“The first days of these trials are always about giving the jury a road map for how to proceed. I think one of the key things that the prosecution has to focus on is the idea that this is not primarily about hush money. This is about trying to distort what the public knew in advance about the election of 2016,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2908973

ANALYSIS: District 7 Has Become Pricey (FXBG Advance)
“When the Seventh was largely a suburban Richmond district (before the 2020 Census redistricting),” says Mary Washington University professor Stephen Farnsworth, “it was seen as safely Republican, at least until Abigail Spanberger demonstrated a Democratic candidate could win there.” “The Seventh District,” says Farnsworth, “has become one of the most expensive districts in the nation for two reasons: it is the most competitive congressional district in the very expensive Washington television market, and the district’s proximity to DC means that candidates have no problem raising a lot of money from the wealthy donors. Both parties want the bragging rights that come from winning this high-profile district.”
Thirteen candidates are running in the Democratic primary in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District (Ballotpedia News)
According to University of Mary Washington professor Stephen J. Farnsworth, “Virginia 10 is a more competitive district than most and, as such, it represents a rare opportunity for both parties to challenge for a pivotal House seat in a pivotal state.”
Democratic shakeup in Virginia primaries for governor, lieutenant governor (Virginia Dogwood)
Stoney’s exit leaves US Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) without a challenger in the Democratic primary to become the nominee in the governor’s race next year. The Democrats will hold their primary sometime in June 2025 and Spanberger, a prolific fundraiser, is likely to have a relatively easy path to the nomination, Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said in an interview. “Spanberger will have a much clearer path,” Farnsworth said, adding the strength of her position will likely discourage others from jumping in the race.

Biden clings to the economy: The rebound in the polls ahead of his clash with Trump (La Tercera, Chile)
Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth, professor at the University of Mary Washington, points to the abortion situation in the United States as a key factor for Biden’s improved standing in recent polls. “Voters are beginning to see that Trump and the justices he put on the Supreme Court are responsible for the state-by-state chaos over abortion laws.”
https://www.latercera.com/la-tercera-domingo/noticia/biden-se-aferra-a-la-economia-el-repunte-en-los-sondeos-de-cara-a-su-choque-con-trump/XN52EP7FNNHAZOAUDESOM6DQWE/

Biden clings to support among voters under 30: Harvard Youth poll (Courthouse News)
For Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, young women may be more strongly motivated to vote for Biden because of Trump’s anti-abortion stance. “The chaos in many states regarding abortion and the fear that there may be a national ban if Trump becomes president again is a key issue that motivates women to turn away from Trump and other Republican candidates,” Farnsworth said. “Even Republicans are starting to see the issue as a political loser for the GOP and are trying to minimize the damage.”
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