Introduction
Each episode dives into the evolving world of local media, journalism education, news innovation, and the urgent fight against disinformation. From conversations about newsroom funding and emerging technologies to rebuilding public trust and reimagining community storytelling, On Assignment explores the challenges and possibilities facing today’s news landscape. Whether you’re a journalist, student, educator, or simply someone who cares about credible information, this podcast is your place to listen, learn, and stay connected to the mission of public-interest journalism.
Latest Episodes
Bonus Episode: News Deserts, Echo Chambers, and the Digital Town Square
In this special bonus episode of On Assignment, guest host Dr. Leona M. Rios explores one of the most urgent issues in journalism today: the collapse of local news and...
The Darkening Forest: How Informal News Ecosystems Are Reshaping What We Know
As local newspapers vanish and broadcast outlets shrink, a new—and often shadowy—ecosystem is stepping in to fill the information void: Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats...
Bonus Episode: Bridging the Divide – Journalism in an Age of Polarization
In this special bonus episode of On Assignment, guest host Dr. Kanji Nakamura, a civic engagement expert from San Francisco, unpacks one of the most urgent threats to ...
Quantum Civics and Journalism: How Local Focus Can Bridge National Divides
What if the key to healing our national divisions isn’t in Washington, but right next door? In this episode of On Assignment, host Liz Cochrane explores the idea of “Q...
Verified Voices: The Promise and Pitfalls of User-Generated Content
In this special bonus episode of On Assignment, guest host Dr. Marisol Treviño unpacks the complex world of user-generated content (UGC) — the citizen-shot videos, soc...