Journalism and democracy have been upended by the growth of mis- and disinformation. Countering it effectively requires understanding why people are susceptible and targeted — and how they can become more resilient. Psychological research can teach journalists how to pre-bunk disinformation and convey credibility in ways that readers, viewers, and listeners can process, which is more essential than ever as Election Day 2024 nears.
The National Press Club Journalism Institute, the American Psychological Association, and PEN America produced a program on strategies for coverage that informs and empowers communities and discussed the ways disinformation has affected the practice of journalism.
Panelists:
- Tiffany Hsu, reporter on the technology team covering misinformation and disinformation, New York Times
- Shannon Jankowski, program director, journalism and disinformation for PEN America
- Jay Van Bavel, director of the Social Identity & Morality Lab and associate professor of psychology and neural science, New York University
- Moderator: Beth Francesco, executive director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute
This program is part of the National Press Club Journalism Institute’s four-part webinar 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.
Additional resources
- Hard News: Journalists and the threat of disinformation (PEN America)
- Facts Forward: A journalist’s guide to combating disinformation (PEN America)
- Additional disinformation resources (PEN America)
- Misinformation vs. disinformation (American Psychological Association)
- Using psychological science to fight misinformation: A guide for journalists (American Psychological Association) / Using psychological science to understand and fight health misinformation: An APA consensus statement
- The anatomy of a misinformation attack (American Psychological Association)
- A psychologist explains four reasons the Internet feels so broken: Plain English with Derek Thompson (Podcast on Spotify)
- Fact checkers take stock of their efforts: ‘It’s not getting better’ (New York Times)
- What to know about disinformation and how to address it (Stanford News)
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.
About APA
The American Psychological Association is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 133,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.