Truth Seekers Summit – Virtual Event on August 15

Exploring the Intersection of Truth and Media in the Digital Age

The inaugural Truthseekers Summit, hosted by Variety, will take place virtually on August 2nd. This event will explore the crucial role of truth in media today, featuring keynote addresses, industry panels, and interactive sessions. Topics will include journalistic integrity, combating misinformation, and the use of technology in truth-seeking. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with thought leaders, network with professionals, and gain valuable insights into the future of media and truth.

The event will kick off at 9:00 AM PT with opening remarks, followed by a series of thematic discussions:

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Truth Seekers Award & Q&A
Rachel Maddow, the host of “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC, will receive the 2023 Variety and Rolling Stone Truth Seekers Award for her significant contributions to journalism. Following the award presentation, she will participate in a Q&A session about her experiences in the news industry, moderated by Ramin Setoodeh, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Variety.

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Washington Political Roundtable
A panel of prominent journalists will discuss their methods for covering the complex and ever-changing landscape of political news. The session will feature Laura Barrón-López (PBS NewsHour), Mary Bruce (ABC News), and Mehdi Hasan (MSNBC), with Noah Shachtman, Editor-in-Chief of Rolling Stone, serving as the moderator.

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM: Keynote Conversation with Roy Wood Jr.
Roy Wood Jr. will share insights into his unique approach to engaging audiences through his humor and perspective on current events. The conversation will be moderated by Alex Morris, Contributing Editor at Rolling Stone.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Conversation with Dawn Porter
Filmmaker Dawn Porter will discuss her work on the Showtime documentary series “Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court,” which examines the history of the U.S. Supreme Court. Cynthia Littleton, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Variety, will moderate the conversation.

12:00 PM – 12:20 PM: “Couples Therapy” Conversation with Dr. Orna Guralnik
Dr. Orna Guralnik will delve into her experiences with the show “Couples Therapy.” Cynthia Littleton will moderate this discussion.

12:20 PM – 12:35 PM: Closer Look at the Innocence Project with Jason Flom
Jason Flom, a founding board member of The Innocence Project, will provide insights into the organization’s work and his own contributions. Jem Aswad, Executive Editor of Music at Variety, will moderate.

1:30 PM – 2:10 PM: The Art of Investigative Storytelling
This panel will explore the latest trends and techniques in investigative and true crime storytelling, including choosing subjects, securing interviews, and crafting engaging narratives. The discussion will feature Tracy Pattin, Shannon Evangelista, Mike Gasparro, Sarah Amos, and Jehane Noujaim, moderated by Kate Storey, Senior Features Editor at Rolling Stone.

2:10 PM – 2:30 PM: Conversation with Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox will discuss her advocacy work within the LGBTQ+ community. Aramide Tinubu, TV Critic for Variety, will moderate the session.

2:30 PM – 2:50 PM: Conversation with Sacha Jenkins
Sacha Jenkins will speak about his creative work and contributions to the field. Jem Aswad will moderate the discussion.

2:50 PM – 3:30 PM: Documentary Filmmaker Roundtable
A group of esteemed documentary filmmakers will discuss their innovative approaches to creating compelling narratives around real-life subjects. The panel includes Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan, Sam Pollard, Lisa Cortés, and Roger Ross Williams, moderated by Addie Morfoot, Contributing Writer at Variety.

For more information and to register, visit the the Truthseekers Summit website.

**Please check their website for last minute change of date