14. Erosion of trust in traditional media institutions - Lawrence Eppard

How we can try to make sure news enlightens rather than enrages us

How do we stay informed without falling into the traps of outrage media and political polarization? With the rise of misinformation, disinformation, and biased news coverage, navigating the media landscape has never been more challenging. Outrage-inducing content, driven by engagement algorithms, dominates our screens and threatens to distort our understanding of the world. It’s no wonder trust in media is declining while voters struggle to separate fact from fiction.

In this episode, I sit down with Shippensburg University Professor Lawrence Eppard to explore these critical issues. As the Director of the Connors Forum for a Healthy Democracy and host of our sister show, Utterly Moderate Podcast, Eppard brings deep insights into the complexities of news literacy and how we can confront the challenges of media distortion, political bias, and social media hype. Together, we unpack how extreme rhetoric and sensationalized content amplify divisions and undermine our ability to engage constructively across political differences.

If you've ever wondered how to stay informed without becoming consumed by outrage or how to foster healthier democratic discourse in the face of political violence and media-driven conflict, this episode is for you. Tune in to gain practical tools for navigating today’s information landscape while preserving your mental health and sense of balance.

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Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C.

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.