Warning: American Media May Be Detrimental to Democracy

As the American public is confronted daily by a flood of disinformation – content intended to mislead – some people may be surprised to learn that mainstream news media are contributors to this problem. Not only do digital newsrooms disguise paid content to look like news articles, but new research from Dr. Michelle Amazeen suggests that this modern form of advertising influences the real journalism that appears next to it. Amazeen’s talk will inform attendees about the origins and evolution of this media practice, how it affects audiences and the industry, and what the implications are for an accurately informed democracy. By better understanding the role of news organizations in perpetuating disinformation, the public can more critically consider the news content they consume.