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Identity in Focus: Media Representations and the 2024 Presidential Election

In the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, the media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of identity, including race, gender, class, and ethnicity. This virtual panel features critical media literacy scholars and practitioners who will discuss how media representations of identity influence political narratives and voter behavior. The panelists will share insights into how media can reinforce stereotypes or challenge existing power structures and participants will learn strategies for critically engaging with media content. The panel will provide a deeper understanding of the intersection between media, identity, and politics in the context of a high-stakes election year.
Moderator:
- Nolan Higdon Lecturer, Merrill College (UCSC)
- Kayson Tang, Undergraduate Class of Merrill College ’26 (UCSC)
Speakers:
- Allison Butler, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Media Literacy Certificate Program in the Department of Communication (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)
- Nicholas Baham, Professor of Ethnic Studies (California State University, East Bay)
- Andy Lee Roth, Associate Director (Project Censored)
- Steve Macek, Professor of Communication and Media Studies (North Central College)