The Humanities Festival's keynote address took place on Friday at Babeville. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

Maki Tanigaki (left), assistant to the director of the Humanities Institute, and keynoter Matt Taibbi pose together. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

David Castillo (left), professor in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, and director of the Humanities Institute, and keynoter Matt Taibbi pose together before the keynote speech. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

Humanities Institute Director David Castillo gives opening remarks before the keynote speech. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

Matt Taibbi delivers the keynote speech. Taibbi is a National Magazine Award-winning columnist and author of the forthcoming book “Hate Inc.: Why Today’s Media Makes Us Despise One Another.” Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

Matt Taibbi delivers his keynote speech. Taibbi co-founded the Buffalo-based alternative weekly “The Beast” 2002. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

Matt Taibbi responds to a question from Q&A moderator Geoff Kelly of Investigative Post. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

Saturday's program at SUNY Buffalo State started with a panel discussion of the current state of of the media in this time of rising fake news and declining local news. Humanities Director David Castillo (far right) introduces the panel: from left, Geoff Kelly of Investigative Post, Maki Becker of The Buffalo News, festival keynoter Matt Taibbi and moderator Elizabeth Licata of Buffalo Spree. Photo: Douglas Levere

Matt Taibbi makes a point during the panel discussion, titled "Don't Stop the Presses!" Photo: Douglas Levere

In the session "New Forms of Democracy, Power and Representation," panelist Kristin Ksaiazek leads participants through an interactive exercise. Photo: Douglas Levere

In the "New Forms of Democracy, Power and Representation" session, participants greet each other after separating into groups based on their answers to specific questions. Photo: Douglas Levere

Ariel Nereson (kneeling, far left) led the session "Dancing Democracy: Empathy Rehearsals in Contemporary Performance." Photo: Douglas Levere

Participants work on developing gestures that represent a particular idea or phrase. Photo: Douglas Levere

Shonnie Finnegan (left), retired university archivist, and Stacy Hubbard, associate professor of English, work together during the "#TimesUp Hollywood! Or is it?" session. Photo: Douglas Levere

The closing reception featured live music and refreshments. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi

The Performance Truck served up live performances, tarot readings, art therapy and more at the closing reception. Photo: Nancy J. Parisi