Intelligence Squared U.S. and The Homeland Security Enterprise Forum Present a Live Debate on “Information Disorder”

On Tuesday, October 25 at 6:00 PM ET Intelligence Squared U.S. and sponsored exclusively by The Homeland Security Enterprise Forum, will present a live debate on the topic of “Information Disorder.” Held it front of a live audience at the Salamander Resort in Middleburg, Virginia, the debate will also stream live online and press are invited to tune in.

The age of “information disorder” is upon us. Deep fakes, false political narratives, and flawed COVID rumors are all rampant online, threatening America’s national security, as well as democracy itself. Though bad actors have always had the capacity to deceive, the ease, speed, and degree to which anyone can create misleading information has engendered a dangerous new world. And yet many solutions can also run directly against longstanding western principles, such as free speech and a lack of censorship. Prescriptions, some argue, can be as dangerous as the disorder itself. So, what can be done?

The latest installment in Intelligence Squared U.S.'s “Unresolved” series, this debate brings together four disinformation and national security experts who will shift sides and partners as they debate three separate motions:

1. Should tech companies moderate misinformation that their users post? 
2. Does America need a governing body to regulate disinformation? 
3. Was Twitter right to ban Donald Trump?

Participating in the “Unresolved: Information Disorder” debate will be Michael Chertoff, Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security and co-author of the PATRIOT Act; Stewart Baker, Former Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Homeland Security; Charles Carithers, former Professional Staff Member with the Committee on Homeland Security in the House of Representatives; and Nina Jankowicz, an internationally-recognized expert on disinformation and democratization.

The “Unresolved: Information Disorder” debate will be held on Tuesday, October 25 at 6:00 PM ET at the Salamander Resort in Middleburg, Virginia. Tickets to the debate will include a buffet-style dinner. Special access Drinks, Dinner, & Debate tickets are limited. Reserve your tickets now. Tickets are selling out quickly. To purchase please visit: https://www.hsenterpriseforum.com/register#tickets

The debate will also stream live online, then air soon after on the syndicated public radio show and podcast "Intelligence Squared U.S." Media can email raypadgett@shorefire.com for access to the live stream.

PARTICIPANT BIOS

* Michael Chertoff: Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security and co-author of the PATRIOT Act 
Michael Chertoff is the executive chairman and co-founder of The Chertoff Group, a global advisory services firm that applies security expertise, technology insights, and policy intelligence to help clients build resilient organizations, gain competitive advantage, and accelerate growth. In this role, he counsels global clients on how to effectively manage cyber risk while incorporating a proper mix of people, process, and technology to achieve their security goals. His areas of expertise and focus include risk identification, analysis, and mitigation; crisis management including prevention, preparation, response, and recovery; and strategic counsel on global security solutions. Chertoff serves on the board of directors of several security companies and is a frequent speaker on security and risk management issues. From 2005 to 2009, Chertoff served as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Earlier in his career, Chertoff served as a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and as head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. He is the author of the recently published book Exploding Data: Reclaiming Our Cybersecurity in the Digital Age. Chertoff also serves as Senior of Counsel at Covington & Burling and Chair of Freedom House. Chertoff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (magna cum laude) from Harvard College and a juris doctor degree in law from Harvard Law School.

* Charles Carithers: Principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs and visiting fellow at the National Security Institute; former staff member on House Committee of Homeland Security, Georgetown University Professor 
Charles Carithers is a principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs, a full-service, bipartisan consulting firm, where he advises a diverse set of clients with interests related national security, defense, and Homeland security. He previously served as a Professional Staff Member with the Committee on Homeland Security in the House of Representatives, advising Chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS2), on various national security and intelligence matters. Before joining the Committee, Charles spent 11 years in the Intelligence Community, having served in various leadership capacities, IARPA, ODNI’s Policy Division, and DIA. Charles also served as a Brookings Institution legislative fellow with the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in the Senate where he advised then Ranking Member Sen. Thomas Carper and Committee staff on matters related to national security. Charles serves on the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) DC Leadership Council, is a term member with the Council on Foreign Relations, and a visiting fellow with the National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. He is the recipient of the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award and Medal and the Secretary of Defense Global War on Terrorism Award and Medal. Charles also serves as chairman of the Board of Advisors for Black Professionals in International Affairs, and is a member of the board of directors for the nonprofit, STEM4US. He is a 2005 graduate of Morehouse College, a 2007 graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies.

* Nina Jankowicz: Internationally-recognized expert on disinformation and democratization and author of How to Lose the Information War 
Nina Jankowicz is an internationally-recognized expert on disinformation and democratization and author of How to Lose the Information War (Bloomsbury 2020) and How to Be A Woman Online (Bloomsbury 2022). From March-May 2022, Jankowicz served as the head Disinformation Governance Board of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Currently the Vice President at the UK-based Centre for Information Resilience, a social enterprise focused on countering disinformation, Jankowicz has advised governments, international organizations, and tech companies; and testified before the US Congress, UK Parliament, and European Parliament. From 2017-2022, Jankowicz has held fellowships at the Wilson Center, where she was affiliated with the Kennan Institute and the Science and Technology Innovation Program.

* Stewart Baker: Former Assistant Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under President of George W. Bush 
Stewart A. Baker practices law at Steptoe & Johnson in Washington, D.C. His law practice covers matters such as homeland security, cybersecurity, and data protection. He is the author of Skating on Stilts: Why We Aren’t Stopping Tomorrow’s Terrorism, and he hosts the weekly Cyberlaw Podcast. From 2005 to 2009, Baker was the first assistant secretary for policy at the Department of Homeland Security. During 2004 and 2005, Baker served as general counsel of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission investigating intelligence failures prior to the Iraq war. From 1992 to 1994, he was general counsel of the National Security Agency (NSA), where he led NSA and interagency efforts to reform commercial encryption and computer security law and policy. In 1977 and 1978, Baker was a law clerk to the Honorable John Paul Stevens, U.S. Supreme Court. He has been awarded one patent. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Brown University and a juris doctor degree of law from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law.