Offer different perspectives on the fundamental question of whether there is “A Right to Truth?”

When truth is defined as trustworthy information that people use to make important decisions about their lives, it is arguably as fundamental to human existence as air, water, food, and shelter. Yet, the pervasive global spread of misinformation and disinformation has resulted in falsehoods being passed off as truth and inconvenient facts being derided as fake news. The Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, in its first in-person conference since the beginning of the pandemic, recently convened a multidisciplinary cast of Kennedy School scholars, other Harvard faculty, and visiting scholars to offer different perspectives on the fundamental question of whether there is “A Right to Truth?”

Discussions throughout the day addressed a wide variety of questions on the topic, including: 

• What is truth especially in the context of diverse human perspectives?
•  Does how truths are sought and created shape their form?
•  Is there a human right to truth and a corresponding responsibility to seek and disseminate it? 
• How do we govern ourselves democratically in an era when our trust in journalism is in question and social platforms and other technologies are increasing the speed and reach of misinformation and disinformation? 

Read the thoughts from some of the panelists.