Whether you’re a student, educator, or simply a curious listener, this episode will equip you with the tools to become a smarter consumer of news.

Misinformation is everywhere, but how do we combat it? Join Dr. Vince Filak, award-winning journalism professor and accomplished author, as he tackles the pressing issue of misinformation in today’s digital world. Drawing on his years of expertise in journalism, media writing, and education, Dr. Filak examines how misinformation spreads, the role of media literacy, and why skepticism is critical for navigating the modern media landscape.

What We Talk About:

• The Age of Misinformation: How digital tools, algorithms, and our own media bubbles allow false information to spread rapidly.
• Evaluating Credibility: Why it’s increasingly challenging to trust sources and how to approach relatability versus expertise in media consumption.
• The Case for Media Literacy: The importance of teaching media literacy as a fundamental life skill to help people critically interpret and evaluate the news.
• The Power of Skepticism: Dr. Filak’s concept of “non-denominational skepticism” encourages questioning all content—agreeable or not—before accepting it as true.
• Practical Tools for Critical Thinking: Simple strategies for assessing sources, questioning headlines, and improving your own media habits.

About the Guest:
Dr. Vince Filak is a professor of multimedia journalism at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and the author of six textbooks, including Exploring Mass Communication, Connecting with the World of Media, published by Sage. With extensive experience in teaching, research, and writing, Vince is an advocate for improving media literacy and helping others make informed decisions in an often-chaotic media environment.

Check out his blog, The Dynamics of Writing, where he shares invaluable resources for educators, students, and anyone seeking better tools to understand the media landscape.

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