More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic and with the 2020 election still making waves, fake news and its polarizing impact is still coursing through our society. Much has been said on the topic, but questions remain: Whose responsibility is it to tackle? How does this differ from fake news of the past? Has fake news changed the relationship between PR and journalism?
In this episode, host Aaron Schoenherr and Charles Davis, Dean of the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia, discuss findings from Greentarget’s Fake News 2020 survey, the state of local news, and the increasingly symbiotic relationship between PR professionals and journalists.
Episode Highlights:
1:17 -- Charles covers his journalism background and how it impacted his views on fake news
4:11 -- Aaron and Charles discuss the relationship between freedom of information and fake news
5:31 -- Analysis of results from Greentarget’s Fake News 2020 Survey and if journalists can tackle the issue on their own
7:33 -- How to define fake news and whether disinformation or misinformation is a greater threat to society
10:26 -- Charles provides insight into how college students view the issue of fake news and consume their news
13:49 -- Charles describes how speed and rapidity makes today’s fake news different from that of the past
16:29 -- The responsibility of big tech in combatting fake news
18:34 -- Aaron and Charles discuss the symbiotic relationship between journalism and public relations
20:51 -- Charles highlights the state of local news and how many newspapers exist in masthead only
24:40 -- Charles discusses who he views as authorities
