Snow College’s Model UN Club Debates Fake News
- D J
- Dec 9
- 2 min read
Mallory Allred
Staff
On Wednesday, October 22, the Snow College Model United Nations Club welcomed students from across campus for an engaging session focused on one of the most timely issues in global affairs: fake news and social media.
The informal gathering featured popcorn, role-play, and lively debate — all designed to help students develop communication skills and deepen their understanding of international issues, even without prior experience in formal debating.
Students gathered in the club’s meeting space in the Social Science building, selected a country to represent at the start of the session, and then assumed that nation’s viewpoint while discussing how fake news and social media platforms impact global politics and diplomacy.
The hands-on format of the meeting is a hallmark of Model UN gatherings: even first-time participants are encouraged to speak, ask questions, and engage with others in a structured but approachable way.
The club discussed how fake news, misinformation, and disinformation have become major policy challenges worldwide. According to reports from UNESCO and the United Nations, efforts to combat false or misleading content online now form an important plank of digital-citizenship education and international cooperation.
At the meeting, students discussed how their assigned country might respond to proposed ideas such as internet shutdowns and governments control over the media. Students don’t need prior debating experience to join the club. The goal of the group is to help students learn how to:
Research a country’s perspective and defend it in discussion
Communicate effectively in a more formal setting
Collaborate across viewpoints
If students are interested, the club is planning future meetings that will simulate other typical Model UN topics to practice effective communication and deepen global awareness.Dylan Johnson, a member of the club says, “It’s a fun opportunity to meet new people and have fun debating”. Students interested in world affairs, politics, media studies or simply building confidence in public speaking are encouraged to join. Upcoming activities for the spring semester will be posted on their instagram.
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