Exhibition shows media and journalism in transition
With its new exhibition, «In Search of the Truth: Us and Journalism,» the St. Gallen Cultural Museum explores how people stay informed, how media professionals work, and the importance of journalism for democracy.
The large, bilingual traveling exhibition will start its tour in St. Gallen, where it can be visited from March 4 to July 2, 2023, and will travel throughout Switzerland until 2026, the museum informed on Friday. The show, designed by historians, is a project of the Journalistory association.
The exhibition includes eight stations with films, games and stories and invites the public to actively participate and collect points. At the end, they receive a "press pass" for this. The centerpiece is a newsroom where visitors can do their own research and produce an article.
"Journalism is essential for the formation of our opinions and for democracy," write the exhibition's creators. Knowledge of facts and public discussion are indispensable. "At the same time, we need information to organize our lives and orient ourselves in society."
Facts and Fake News
A station about facts and fake news offers a quiz and an infotheque, calls for critical examination of news and addresses media use. The audience should not fall for fake news and is given the opportunity to spread false "facts" and conspiracy theories themselves.
A historical section entitled "Media and Society" is devoted to important events that have moved Switzerland over the past 60 years, from the vote on women's suffrage to the Ukraine war. In another station, media professionals talk about their profession, its appeal and challenges.
In addition to the traveling exhibition, the St. Gallen Museum of Culture has designed a local section. It deals with media history and media change in St. Gallen. Outstanding topics included the controversy surrounding the "traitor to the country Ernst S." in the 1970s and the St. Gallen Easter riots of 2021. (SDA)
