The rapid spread of information is a powerful tool for public health officials fighting COVID-19. But what happens when their messages get distorted or altered? Dhavan Shah is the Director of the Mass Communications Research Center at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Earlier today, he sat down with WORT producer Jonah Chester to discuss the […]
Pseudoscience and Propaganda
In an era where political charges of “junk science” and “fake news” get thrown around to stifle opinions that differ from one’s own, getting science journalism right is a difficult, and often dangerous task. University of Wisconsin Journalist in Residence Christie Aschwanden recently tackled this minefield in her book “GOOD TO GO: What the Athlete […]
How Do Conspiracy Theories Form and Proliferate?
In a time of fake news and misinformation, one scholar is untangling how conspiracy theories are formed and spread. Jordan Foley is a grad student at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and his research focuses on political polarization, media effects, political psychology, and civic participation. He joins Buzz host Jonathan Zarov in the […]
Professional Journalism in the Era of Fake News
The Trump Administration has made no secret of its disdain for the American news media. Last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson broke with tradition by inviting Fox News … and only Fox News… to cover a recent meeting at the Korean Demilitarized Zone. On his trip to South Korea, Tillerson allowed only one reporter, […]
The Locust of Control
This Week on Mel & Floyd: Big Burger Bikini Babes and the Politeness of Robots, Nation’s Top Health Insurers to Trump: “Don’t Do Anything Stupid!”, Professional Wrestling Heiress to Eat Small Business, plus many more indications that the Foxes will indeed run the White House!
