Robert Gibbs, former White House press secretary for the Obama administration (2009-11), spoke Tuesday in UNC-Chapel Hill’s Memorial Hall for the Eve Carson Distinguished Lecture Series in a presentation called, “Communicating Through the Chaos.”
The series was created by UNC-CH’s former student body president (2007-08), Eve Carson, who wanted this lecture series to bring prominent thinkers to campus. It has been led by the Student Government, since the death of Carson in 2008 who was shot to death after she was kidnapped and robbed in a neighborhood near UNC-CH’s campus.
Gibbs’ selection as speaker was strongly debated by students like Anthony Dent, chairman of the UNCCollege Republicans, who thought the former press secretary was terrible at his job and would not be able to “spark discussion and even debate.”
Despite this fact, Gibbs struck many chords.
His presentation was followed by a Q&A session from two long lines of students who asked Gibbs debatable questions, such as why he thinks self-selection of news is bad.
Gibbs said newer developments of technology, such as Smartphones, iPads and Twitter, is necessary because it allows political figures to reach wider audiences.
However, at times, he said these developments complicate communication and result in the inaccurate exchange of information.
“What I think we have lost a lot in the media is the notion of a truth check or a fact check,” he said.
Gibbs also said he is worried about self-selection of news because it does not allow news consumers to have their view points challenged, which he considers to be healthy for democracy.
Aside from his talk on the credibility of media, he urged people who are cynical about politics to get involved to help create progress by demanding more. Though he agrees that politics can be messy, he said, “You cannot just vote in one election and think everything will change.”
He believes people should engage in public service to help get things done, instead of just relying on representatives they vote for.
To end the lecture, he encouraged everyone to vote during the 2012 presidential election to influence Congress to get things done.
Though he said he does not know which Republican presidential candidate Obama is likely to face. He knows one thing for sure, which he repeated numerous times, “This is going to be a very very close election.”
