Episode 18: The Intent & Impact of Misinformation & Disinformation with Dr. Judith E. Rosenbaum & Dr. Liliana Herakova

In this episode of The Connected Way, I connect with guests Judith E. Rosenbaum and Liliana Herkova, both professors of communication at the University of Maine, to discuss their insights into the media’s influence on our understanding of truth, the psychological impact of misinformation and disinformation, and how we can foster better connections amidst polarized information.

TUNE IN TO EPISODE 18 TO HEAR:

• The difference between misinformation and disinformation, both of which can distort public perception.
• How social media creates echo chambers: information being shared within like-minded communities, reinforcing existing biases.
• How deep fakes and manipulated media (forms of disinformation) exploit human reliance on visual and auditory cues for truth.
• Why the fragmentation of media consumption makes it harder to relate to those outside our own networks, increasing division.
• The importance of looking at things from other sides (as well as great resources to help you).

ABOUT OUR GUESTS: 

Judith E. Rosenbaum is Associate Professor of Media Studies and Chair of the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of Maine. Judith conducts research into people's use of digital media content and how this usage interacts with and impacts their identities, relationships, and perceptions of reality.

Liliana Herkova (Lily), is an Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Maine, Orono. Through story- and culture-centered inquiry, she wonders about the making, unmaking, and re-making of identities, connections, and communities and of social change as a verb. 

RESOURCES: 

• Dealing with media Bias - Decide what news organizations you like - look them up on media bias chart and look at media outlets on the opposite side of the bias to look at the other side. You can find media bias charts here: https://adfontesmedia.com/gallery/
• To see the other side of a story, you can go to www.allsides.com and put in your story and it will show you a story from another side. 
• Center for Media Literacy has great resources: https://www.medialit.org/
• A good article on countering disinformation through prebunking: https://www.edf.org/what-prebunking-and-how-do-it-help-advance-evs
• Another good article on how to counter misinformation when it comes from someone you know: https://www.edf.org/how-tackle-misinformation-when-its-coming-loved-one
• Vivek Murthy’s Book Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World

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For full show notes and resourcces, please visit the blog: https://www.theconnectedway.com/podcast/episode-18