#118: The Modern Age of Misinformation and Journalism with the Poynter Institute

Jul 17, 2025

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In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Neil Brown, president of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of journalism and the growing challenge of misinformation. Neil explores how the 24/7 news cycle and the rise of social media have accelerated the spread of false information, and why the role of investigative journalism remains essential in a democratic society. From the history and eventual decline of the Fairness Doctrine to the present-day influence of AI, Neil discusses how journalists can adapt to technological disruption without compromising ethics, how fact-checking empowers audiences, and why media literacy is more crucial than ever.

Key Points:

Misinformation Has Always Existed — but Its Reach and Speed Are Unprecedented: The rise of social media and the 24/7 news cycle has supercharged the spread of false information, making it harder for audiences to separate fact from fiction.
Media Literacy Empowers Consumers: Audiences must take an active role in questioning sources, understanding different types of news, and pausing before sharing information.
AI Brings Both Challenges and Possibilities for Journalism: Ethical and transparent use of AI can strengthen reporting and efficiency, but it also poses risks to trust and authenticity if not carefully managed.
Neil Brown, president of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies
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The Poynter 50
Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, LinkedIn

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