Disinformation & The Public: How journalists can champion news literacy and empower their communities

In today’s connected society, everyone is a publisher. Our phones alone grant us unparalleled opportunities to share stories not only among friends and family, but also help take videos, photos, and audio viral in what can seem like seconds. And despite someone’s best intentions, they may be helping to spread harmful mis- and disinformation, especially during times of crisis.   

What role — and power — do members of the public have in halting or spreading mis- and disinformation, and what ethical considerations should they make before sharing a video or story?

Register now to join the National Press Club Journalism Institute for a robust discussion among experts whose work focuses on news and information literacy and finding ways to help the public fact-check the information it interacts with. This virtual session is to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m ET on Wednesday, April 24, invites journalists, educators, community leaders, and the public to explore practices to help empower  individuals to “stop the spread” of harmful information through ethical, personal decision-making.

Participants will learn: 

• Practices to reach some of the communities most vulnerable to mis- and disinformation campaigns
• How to talk to about disinformation in ways that instill trust among communities traditionally underserved by mainstream media 
• Tools to empower members of the public to champion their roles as information clearinghouses in their peer groups and communities

Panelists include: 

• Tamoa Calzaldilla, editor in chief of Factchequeado and creator of the bilingual Guide for Journalists Covering Latino and Spanish-Speaking Communities
• Henry Hicks, manager, U.S. Free Expressions Programs for PEN America
• Mollie Muchna, project manager for Trusting News and adjunct professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Journalism
• Dr. Kate Starbird, co-founder of the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington and associate professor in the university’s Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering
• Moderator: Delano Massey, managing editor of local at Axios and NPCJI board member

This program is part of the Institute’s four-part training series focused on ethics in the age of disinformation. The series, produced in part with funding from the Inasmuch Foundation, is designed to provide tools and best practices to support ethical, trustworthy journalism. 

If you have questions about this program, please email National Press Club Journalism Institute Executive Director Beth Francesco at [email protected].

About NPCJI

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest.