On Assignment is a podcast about the people, practices, and ideas shaping the future of journalism. Produced by The Assignment Desk, 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.
On Assignment by The Assignment Desk
Claim This Podcastby Robert Sterner
14 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
29
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality58
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement0
Podcast Overview
On Assignment is a podcast about the people, practices, and ideas shaping the future of journalism. Produced by The Assignment Desk, 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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/2/2025
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29
Podcast Authority
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Quality58
Social0
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Recent Episodes
August 8, 2025
Bonus Episode: News Deserts, Echo Chambers, and the Digital Town Square
<p>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 rise of informal digital ecosystems filling the void.</p><p><br>From the closure of hundreds of newspapers to the surprising role Facebook groups and WhatsApp chats now play in rural America, this episode uncovers how social media has become both the villain and the unlikely hero in the information landscape. With nuance and wit, Dr. Rios examines the anatomy of a “news desert,” the viral power of misinformation, and the unexpected resilience of community-run news efforts in places like Trinidad, Colorado.</p><p><br>Along the way, she breaks down:</p><ul><li>How local news collapsed—and what took its place</li><li>Why misinformation spreads faster than truth</li><li>The psychological roots of why we share what we share</li><li>How partisan outlets mimic local journalism</li><li>And what we can do—from media literacy to policy reform—to reclaim an informed public</li></ul><p>This isn’t just a story about media—it’s a story about democracy, identity, and what it means to stay connected in an age of fragmented truth.</p><p><br>On Assignment is produced by Robert Sterner.</p><p><br>Stay tuned for our next episode: Civic Navigators: Identifying and Supporting Trusted Community Messengers</p>
August 4, 2025
The Darkening Forest: How Informal News Ecosystems Are Reshaping What We Know
<p>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, and community-run pages now serve as the de facto newsrooms for thousands of towns across the country.</p><p>In this episode of On Assignment, host Gath Townsend speaks with Dr. Leona M. Rios, a researcher and self-described “reluctant group chat participant,” whose work explores how people find and trust information in spaces beyond traditional media. From small-town Facebook groups to encrypted WhatsApp threads, we trace the rise of what Dr. Rios calls “the darkening forest”—a dense, often invisible network of informal news that is increasingly shaping public life.</p><p>Together, they explore:</p><ul><li>Why traditional news is collapsing—and where communities are turning instead</li><li>How platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp create both connection and confusion</li><li>The role of volunteer moderators and the limits of “curated news”</li><li>The risks of misinformation and the invisible spread of rumors in encrypted spaces</li><li>And what can actually be done—from community education to systemic reform</li></ul><p>This is a story about the shifting foundations of trust, truth, and who gets to decide what counts as “news” in a fractured media landscape.</p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Dr. Leona M. Rios, researcher, writer, and media anthropologist</p><p><br>On Assignment is produced by Robert Sterner.</p>
August 1, 2025
Bonus Episode: Bridging the Divide – Journalism in an Age of Polarization
<p>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 American democracy: political polarization. As partisan divides deepen and media discourse grows more combative, what role should journalism play in restoring trust and fostering dialogue?</p><p>Dr. Nakamura explores how traditional journalism's reliance on conflict-driven narratives may be fueling the problem—and how a shift toward constructive journalism could offer a path forward. Drawing on real-world examples, research insights, and strategies from fields like mediation and public engagement, this episode examines how journalists can move from amplifying division to creating space for mutual understanding, empathy, and problem-solving.</p><p>From "Walk a Mile in My News" to Braver Angels workshops, discover how storytelling and newsrooms can help bridge ideological chasms—by listening better, listening louder, and encouraging conversations that heal rather than harm.</p>
14 total episodes available
Recent guests on On Assignment by The Assignment Desk
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Nari Han
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Malcolm Redd
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Marianne Keller
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Gath Townsend
Guest
Jane Swisshelm
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- What is On Assignment by The Assignment Desk?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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