Nic Newman, lead author of the Digital News Report, and Rasmus Nielsen, Director of the Reuters Institute, discuss key findings, including disengagement from news sources and selective avoidance of certain news stories. They explore the erosion of trust in news organizations and the challenge of making important stories more accessible. The podcast also delves into the reliance on reader revenue in the digital news industry, concerns around misinformation, political polarization and news media use, and lessons for news media, such as the need for innovation while maintaining trust.

Renee DiResta is an expert on online manipulation at Georgetown, while Nic Newman researches news consumption at the Reuters Institute, and Michael Spikes teaches media literacy at Northwestern. They discuss the significant shift in news consumption as social media influencers gain prominence over traditional outlets. The trio dives into the challenges of misinformation and the evolving dynamics of audience engagement with influencers. They also touch on the impact of foreign influence in U.S. elections and the urgent need for critical media literacy in a complex digital landscape.