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.
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 rise of informal digital ecosystems filling the void.
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.
Along the way, she breaks down:
How local news collapsed—and what took its place
Why misinformation spreads faster than truth
The psychological roots of why we share what we share
How partisan outlets mimic local journalism
And what we can do—from media literacy to policy reform—to reclaim an informed public
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.
On Assignment is produced by Robert Sterner.
Stay tuned for our next episode: Civic Navigators: Identifying and Supporting Trusted Community Messengers
4 Aug 2025
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, and community-run pages now serve as the de facto newsrooms for thousands of towns across the country.
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.
Together, they explore:
Why traditional news is collapsing—and where communities are turning instead
How platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp create both connection and confusion
The role of volunteer moderators and the limits of “curated news”
The risks of misinformation and the invisible spread of rumors in encrypted spaces
And what can actually be done—from community education to systemic reform
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.
Guest: Dr. Leona M. Rios, researcher, writer, and media anthropologist
On Assignment is produced by Robert Sterner.
1 Aug 2025
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 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?
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.
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.
28 Jul 2025
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 “Quantum Civics” — the notion that small, local civic actions can ripple out to address some of our deepest societal rifts. She’s joined by Dr. Kenji Nakamura, a San Francisco-based researcher whose work bridges political psychology and grassroots organizing, to unpack how local conversations, trust-building, and shared problem-solving can depolarize even the most divided communities. From library conversations in fictional Harmony Creek to real-world initiatives like Braver Angels’ “Walk A Mile In My News,” this episode challenges the way we think about civic life — and offers hopeful, practical paths forward.
25 Jul 2025
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, social media posts, and crowdsourced stories that are rapidly reshaping modern journalism.
From the frontlines of breaking news to investigative reporting powered by public contributions, Dr. Treviño explores how newsrooms are leveraging everyday voices to enhance coverage — and the very real challenges of verification, bias, and trust that come with it. Featuring case studies from The New York Times, ProPublica, and Al-Arabiya, this episode dives into the tools, motivations, and ethical questions behind UGC.
What does it take to maintain credibility in a world where everyone’s a publisher? And how can journalists engage audiences without compromising journalistic standards?
Whether you're a newsroom veteran or a news-hungry citizen, this episode offers a timely, insightful look at the shifting dynamics between the press and the public.
21 Jul 2025
The Rise of Citizen News: Understanding and Using User-Generated Content
User-generated content—or UGC—is reshaping the way news is gathered, reported, and consumed. In this episode of On Assignment, host Gath Townsend sits down with digital media expert Dr. Marisol Treviño to explore how everyday people are becoming part of the journalistic process through photos, tweets, videos, and on-the-ground reporting.
They dive into the origins of UGC, its impact on breaking news coverage, and the rise of participatory and citizen journalism. But with great access comes great responsibility: how do newsrooms verify content, preserve editorial standards, and maintain public trust in an era of misinformation?
We’ll look at innovative initiatives like The Documenters Network and ABC Open, the challenges of moderation, and what it takes for journalists to adapt to this new media landscape. Whether you're a journalist, a media student, or just a news consumer, this episode will give you a deeper understanding of the forces transforming today’s newsrooms.
27 Jun 2025
Bonus: From Doomscrolling to Civic Joy: How Local News Can Reconnect Us
Guest host Nari Han explores the psychology of doomscrolling and its impact on mental health, revealing how local journalism and positive news can foster civic engagement and well-being in this interview episode.
23 Jun 2025
From Doomscrolling to Civic Joy: Centering Solutions in Local Storytelling
Host Liz Cochrane interviews Nari Han about centering solutions in local storytelling, exploring how "civic joy" builds trust and invites meaningful engagement.
20 Jun 2025
Bonus: Who Pays for the News? Funding the Fourth Estate
Malcolm Redd examines the financial future of local journalism, discussing innovative ownership structures and funding strategies that are reshaping the news landscape in this interview episode.
16 Jun 2025
The Price of News: Finding a Future for Local Journalism
Host Liz Cochrane interviews Malcolm Redd about the broken business model of local journalism and explores sustainable solutions like nonprofit models and community-based funding to empower communities.
13 Jun 2025
Bonus: The Rise of News Deserts — Why It Matters for Your Community
Marianne Keller examines the rise of news deserts across America, detailing the consequences of vanishing local journalism on democracy and underserved communities in this episode.
9 Jun 2025
Mapping Central PA's Information Ecosystem
Marianne Keller analyzes Central Pennsylvania's information ecosystem with Gath Townsend, examining news sources and their impact on community engagement in this interview.
6 Jun 2025
Bonus: How can news organizations earn back the public’s trust?
Guest host Jane Swisshelm examines strategies news organizations employ to regain public trust by focusing on transparency, community engagement, and journalistic integrity in this interview episode.
2 Jun 2025
It's about trust. Rebuilding faith in news isn’t just about delivering facts.
Host Liz Cochrane interviews information ecosystem expert Jane Swisshelm about rebuilding trust in journalism through relationships, transparency, and community spaces, offering insights for reimagining local media.
Who has been a guest on On Assignment by The Assignment Desk
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Nari Han
Malcolm Redd
Marianne Keller
Gath Townsend
Jane Swisshelm
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