In 2019, it was estimated that the global economy took a hit of $78 billion because of fake news. Further, nearly 70% of adult Americans report that made-up news is a serious problem. Recent research has found that even media-savvy consumers share and spread misinformation—simply because they aren’t paying attention. This two-part lecture will explore the role of journalism and information in a democratic society, as well as the importance of local news in the health of communities. It will also review strategies for identifying misinformation—particularly when it’s designed to look like traditional news products—and best practices for media literacy in a digital age.

Kirstie Hettinga, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University) is an associate professor of communication at California Lutheran University. She teaches media writing, editing, and content creation and serves as the faculty adviser to Cal Lutheran’s award-winning student newspaper, The Echo. Her research addresses issues of accuracy and credibility in news media, as well as how students learn in student newsrooms. Her work has been published in Newspaper Research Journal, College Media Review, Journal of Media Ethics, and Journalism Practice.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.