Disinformation is on the minds of government leaders in the U.S. with the upcoming 2024 presidential elections. Media organizations are also focused on disinformation — particularly combating the spread.
Scripps News has launched the disinformation desk, which is focused on exposing disinformation and how it spreads — not just in politics but also in news. Liz Landers, former chief political correspondent for Vice News, is the network's lead disinformation correspondent and spoke to Editor & Publisher about the role and the team’s mission. (This interview was edited for clarity.)
E&P: What drew you to this role?
Landers: We're in such a pivotal moment right now — not just in the United States, but across the world — in terms of how people understand facts and information and, frankly, the truth.
E&P: What do you see is the biggest hurdle when reporting about disinformation?
Landers: There are a lot of unknowns. Technology creates and amplifies disinformation and, in some cases, commodifies it. People make money from disinformation [so it's] really rapidly advancing. A big part of this job for me has been learning about how technology is developing and how to keep up with it. That is impacting everyone. When we speak with lawmakers on Capitol Hill about it, I know they have trouble writing laws and regulations that keep up with where the technology is going.
E&P: What takeaways do you want readers and viewers to come away with?
Landers: This is about public service journalism and educating people about how disinformation impacts their lives. There’s a lot of [disinformation] now out there on social media platforms and, frankly, in some traditional media platforms as well. When it gets picked up, people don’t realize it is incorrect information.
E&P: What is something that the public may misunderstand when it comes to a disinformation desk?
Landers: One misunderstanding is that disinformation impacts people's lives in many ways, and a false tweet can move the stock market. We’ve seen that, and I suspect that those kinds of actions and examples of disinformation will continue to happen.
E&P: What does success look like for this desk?
Landers: [We are] making compelling television that explains important and complex issues. We’re doing this in a visually compelling way, which is difficult sometimes with these types of stories. It's not a war zone. It’s not a big political rally with people, personalities and a lot of imagery. We’re informing the public about things they may not know before they’ve thought about them — with their children, their ballot, their financial institutions [and] banking. Also, we’re hoping to break some news.
Keldy Ortiz is a New York-based writer and educator. He has written for publications locally and nationally. (Photo credit: Michael Jackson)
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