What role does social media play in our understanding of truth? How can journalists utilize the digital age to build civic engagement? And what role does the consumer play in sustaining a trustworthy information ecosystem? In this episode, we examine our growing distrust in news media and take a closer look at what the future may hold for journalists and consumers to regain trust in this important democratic institution. Listen as we talk with University of Oregon professors Lisa Heyamoto and Todd Milbourn about the 32 Percent Project – a study aimed at uncovering why less than one third of Americans say they trust the media.
We also sit down with Caitlyn May, a reporter for the Albany Democrat Herald. She explains why journalists play a role in cultivating and reinforcing an honest information ecosystem and how they can use social media more effectively to bolster greater community engagement. And, we talk to Veryan Kahn, President of the Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium, about how disinformation is spread online and the impact social media has on our news consumption and production.