On Assignment by The Assignment Desk

Robert Sterner

On Assignment is a podcast about the people, practices, and ideas shaping the future of journalism. Produced by The Assignment Desk, each episode dives into the evolving world of local media, journalism education, news innovation, and the urgent fight against disinformation. From conversations about newsroom funding and emerging technologies to rebuilding public trust and reimagining community storytelling, On Assignment explores the challenges and possibilities facing today’s news landscape. Whether you’re a journalist, student, educator, or simply someone who cares about credible information, this podcast is your place to listen, learn, and stay connected to the mission of public-interest journalism.

Last refreshed: July 26th, 2025 at 4:47 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Verified Voices: The Promise and Pitfalls of User-Generated Content

In this special bonus episode of On Assignment , guest host Dr. Marisol Treviño unpacks the complex world of user-generated content (UGC) — the citizen-shot videos, social media posts, and crowdsourced stories that are rapidly reshaping modern journalism. From the frontlines of breaking news to investigative reporting powered by public contributions, Dr. Treviño explores how newsrooms are leveraging everyday voices to enhance coverage — and the very real challenges of verification, bias, and tru...

Jul 25, 2025•10 min•Ep. 11

The Rise of Citizen News: Understanding and Using User-Generated Content

User-generated content—or UGC—is reshaping the way news is gathered, reported, and consumed. In this episode of On Assignment , host Gath Townsend sits down with digital media expert Dr. Marisol Treviño to explore how everyday people are becoming part of the journalistic process through photos, tweets, videos, and on-the-ground reporting. They dive into the origins of UGC, its impact on breaking news coverage, and the rise of participatory and citizen journalism. But with great access comes grea...

Jul 21, 2025•11 min•Ep. 9

Bonus: From Doomscrolling to Civic Joy: How Local News Can Reconnect Us

Why do we keep scrolling through headlines that only make us feel worse? In this bonus episode of On Assignment , guest host Nari Han—a researcher who explores why people disengage from news and what brings them back—guides us through the emotional and behavioral terrain of doomscrolling . With insights from research at the University of California, Harvard Health, and the Steinman Institute, Han explains how our brains are wired for bad news—and how that constant exposure can leave us feeling a...

Jun 27, 2025•10 min•Ep. 8

From Doomscrolling to Civic Joy: Centering Solutions in Local Storytelling

What if local news could do more than report problems—what if it could inspire action and connection? In this episode, host Liz Cochrane speaks with Nari Han about the growing disconnect many people feel when faced with a relentless stream of bad news. Together, they explore how the concept of "civic joy" offers a new path forward: storytelling that builds trust, reflects community resilience, and invites meaningful engagement. We explore: How constant negativity fuels disconnection The shift “u...

Jun 23, 2025•7 min•Ep. 6

Bonus: Who Pays for the News? Funding the Fourth Estate

In this special bonus episode of On Assignment , Malcolm Redd steps into the host chair to explore the financial future of local journalism. As advertising dollars vanish into the coffers of Big Tech, newsrooms are scrambling to find sustainable models—from reader-funded startups and journalist-owned cooperatives to nonprofit newsrooms and public benefit corporations. Drawing on examples from Defector to Lookout Santa Cruz, and from Canadian policy to U.S. tax credits, Malcolm breaks down the in...

Jun 20, 2025•8 min•Ep. 7

The Price of News: Finding a Future for Local Journalism

In this episode of "On Assignment," host Liz Cochrane sits down with expert Malcolm Redd to explore the challenging landscape facing local news outlets in Central Pennsylvania. We dig into the broken business model that has traditionally funded local journalism. Malcolm explains how the old reliance on local advertising revenue has largely disappeared online, leaving newsrooms struggling to find ways to pay the bills. This has led to many local papers shrinking or even closing. We discuss the im...

Jun 16, 2025•9 min•Ep. 5

Bonus: The Rise of News Deserts — Why It Matters for Your Community

In this special supplemental episode of On Assignment , guest host Marianne Keller explores a growing crisis that’s quietly reshaping life in America: the expansion of news deserts — communities with little to no access to reliable local news. More than 3,200 newspapers have vanished since 2005. Jobs have disappeared. Local stories go untold. Government oversight weakens. And millions of people — particularly in rural, low-income, and minority communities — are left in an information void. We br...

Jun 13, 2025•11 min•Ep. 4

Mapping Central PA's Information Ecosystem

Where do people get their news—and what does that say about the health of our civic life? In this episode of On Assignment , host Gath Townsend is joined by media ecosystem expert Marianne Keller to unpack the findings of Central Pennsylvania first-ever Information Ecosystem Map. They explore how traditional and informal sources—from newspapers to Facebook groups—shape community connection, trust, and participation. Together, they discuss the decline of legacy news, the rise of social media, and...

Jun 09, 2025•9 min•Ep. 3

Bonus: How can news organizations earn back the public’s trust?

Welcome to a special episode of On Assignment , where we explore journalism’s biggest questions and boldest challenges. Guest hosted by Jane Swisshelm, and today we’re asking: How can news organizations earn back the public’s trust? In a time of rampant misinformation, political polarization, and digital noise, trust in the media is at a critical low. But there are real, research-backed strategies that newsrooms are using right now to rebuild that connection with the public. We dive into: How tr...

Jun 06, 2025•9 min•Ep. 2

It's about trust. Rebuilding faith in news isn’t just about delivering facts.

In this episode of On Assignment , host Liz Cochrane sits down with information ecosystem expert Jane Swisshelm to explore a core issue at the heart of modern journalism: trust. Drawing from research and lived experience in Central Pennsylvania, they unpack why rebuilding trust in news isn’t just about delivering facts—it’s about fostering relationships, transparency, and shared community spaces. From “news deserts” to intergenerational gaps in media consumption, Liz and Jane examine how local c...

Jun 02, 2025•8 min•Ep. 1

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