Internet memes: misinformation machines or vectors of truth?

2016 was a year of memes in Western politics, from #CatsAgainstBrexit to Pepe the Frog to #NastyWomen, as meme shells, GIFs and selfies enter the political vernacular. Love them or hate them, internet memes make up a critical part of our contemporary media environment, and they’ve been documented in their role in spreading misinformation, disseminating important activist messages, and, yes, sharing pictures of cats. How can journalists work with memes effectively? What are the dangers endemic to this media form? We’ll hear from a variety of perspectives, including memes in misinformation ecosystems, the visual role of memes, the journalistic value of discussing memes, and how activists wield memes for social change.