Post-truth issues are adversely affecting people all around the world. The metadata and knowledge organization communities have a mission to help people access information that is as objective, comprehensive and as relevant as possible. This session is an open invitation to members of our community to engage with these issues, contribute ideas for solutions, and consider whether DCMI has a potential role to play in charting a path forward.

In 2016 the Oxford English Dictionary chose ‘post-truth’ as word of the year. Their decision was based on the proliferation of fake news stories and misinformation that accompanied both the US national election and the British EU referendum. On Earth Day in April 2017 thousands of people gathered in London for a March for Science, protesting the negative impact of post-truth culture and politics on science, research and education.
How can the metadata community engage with, and respond to, these issues?

In this session, David Clarke will describe the problem space and comment on the issues from the perspective of knowledge organization and information science. The session will include ample time for delegate participation, including a discussion about how the metadata community can get involved and contribute ideas for solutions.