NWR - (1) Role of Press Covering Campus News Ecosystem

Fake news

Crafted, sensational, emotionally charged, misleading or fabricated information that copies the form of mainstream news

Disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda

What are the three types of “fake news?“

Disinformation

Intentionally false, meant to cause harm

Misinformation

False content shared without knowing its false

Malinformation/propaganda

Genuine information shared out of context to cause harm

Satire/parody, false connection, misleading content, false context, imposter content, manipulated content, and fabricated content

What are the different sections of “fake“ news?

Cognitive bias

Limitation in thinking - can cause flaws in our judgment

Confirmation bias

Interpreting new evidence that is believed to be confirmed

Triggers our cognitive bias and confirmation bias

Why do our brains love “fake“ news? Because of….

A speech by the president, a tornado touching down, a protest on campus

What is news?

Public skepticism, credibility, and censorship

What are the challenges of being a journalist?

Report news, monitor power, uncover injustice, tell compelling satires, sustain communities, fact check politicians, public figures and corporations

What is the responsibility of journalists in a democracy?

Hard news, explanatory journalism, features/soft news, commentary/opinion

What are the different kinds of stories?

Relevance, usefulness, and interest

What are the elements of a good story?

Impact, conflict, novelty, prominence, proximity, timeliness, engagement, and solutions

What are the elements of a story?

Words, images, sound, and video

Journalists work with?

With accuracy and fairness

How to avoid bias?

Truth

Journalists’ first obligation is to the ______

Citizens

Journalists’ first loyalty is to _______

Verification

Journalism is a discipline of _______

Independence

Journalists must maintain an _______ from those they cover

Protects our democracy

Journalism….

• Serve as independent monitors of power

• Provide a forum for public criticism and comment

• Make the significant interesting and relevant

• Keep the news in proportion and make it understandable

Journalists must:

Chronicle campus life, forum for debate: students, faculty, staff, admin, community, a watchdog, and training grounds for journalists

What is the role of the Student Press?

Respect, conflict of interest, inexperience, and interference

What are the challenges of the Student Press?

• Miniature city

• Political establishment

• Policy makers

• Merchants

• Celebrities

• Working class

What do the Student Press cover within campus?

• Crime and Safety

• City/Community

• Academics

• Administration

• Campus politics

• Sports

• Arts and Entertainment

• Lifestyle/Features

• Science and Health

• News/Lifestyle/Sports/Arts/Biz-Tech/Health-Science

The Student Press covers what on campus?

• Look around

• Ask questions

• Eavesdrop

• Pay attention

• Develop sources

• Read everything

• Be skeptical

How does the Student Press find stories?

Recognize, consider, research

How to combat disinformation?