On Assignment by The Assignment Desk

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why do we keep scrolling through headlines that only make us feel worse?

In this bonus episode of On Assignment, guest host Nari Han—a researcher who explores why people disengage from news and what brings them back—guides us through the emotional and behavioral terrain of doomscrolling. With insights from research at the University of California, Harvard Health, and the Steinman Institute, Han explains how our brains are wired for bad news—and how that constant exposure can leave us feeling anxious, disconnected, and even misanthropic.

But there’s a way out.

This episode explores how local journalism, solutions reporting, and creative engagement strategies are helping audiences move from information fatigue to civic joy. Han unpacks evidence-based approaches that rebuild trust, highlight community strengths, and foster participation—offering listeners practical steps to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed.

If you’ve ever felt consumed by the news but unsure how to break the cycle, this is the episode for you.

Produced by Robert Sterner for The Assignment Desk.

Next up on On Assignment: The Power of the Crowd: Reimagining Community Storytelling Submissions.

What if local news could do more than report problems—what if it could inspire action and connection?

In this episode, host Liz Cochrane speaks with Nari Han about the growing disconnect many people feel when faced with a relentless stream of bad news. Together, they explore how the concept of "civic joy" offers a new path forward: storytelling that builds trust, reflects community resilience, and invites meaningful engagement.

We explore:

• How constant negativity fuels disconnection
• The shift “upstream from news” toward actionable, human-centered information
• What “solutions journalism” looks like in local practice
• How storytelling can foster trust, civic pride, and agency
• Real-world ideas: community spotlights, story skill shares, and neighborhood idea labs

Tune in to hear how reimagining the role of news can transform doomscrolling into a shared sense of purpose.

In this special bonus episode of On Assignment, Malcolm Redd steps into the host chair to explore the financial future of local journalism. As advertising dollars vanish into the coffers of Big Tech, newsrooms are scrambling to find sustainable models—from reader-funded startups and journalist-owned cooperatives to nonprofit newsrooms and public benefit corporations.

Drawing on examples from Defector to Lookout Santa Cruz, and from Canadian policy to U.S. tax credits, Malcolm breaks down the innovative ownership structures and funding strategies reshaping the local news landscape. It’s a wide-ranging look at who pays for the news now—and what it might take to keep journalism alive where it’s needed most.

In this episode of "On Assignment," host Liz Cochrane sits down with expert Malcolm Redd to explore the challenging landscape facing local news outlets in Central Pennsylvania. We dig into the broken business model that has traditionally funded local journalism.

Malcolm explains how the old reliance on local advertising revenue has largely disappeared online, leaving newsrooms struggling to find ways to pay the bills. This has led to many local papers shrinking or even closing.

We discuss the impact of these changes on our communities, including how social media, particularly Facebook, has become the primary source of news for many residents.... While convenient, this shift can sometimes mean less in-depth, fact-checked reporting. We also touch on how fewer than 4 in 10 Central Pennsylvanians feel "somewhat" connected to their community, a number that reliable local news can help improve1....

But it's not all challenging! Malcolm shares insights from community research about the search for sustainable solutions. The conversation goes "upstream from news" to look at building trust, centering solutions, and equipping people for civic action....

Listen in as we discuss promising new approaches, including:

•Nonprofit or hybrid media models

•Membership or community-based funding

•Collaborative efforts among news organizations and community groups...

•The potential of technology like AI to assist journalists

•Focusing on solutions journalism and stories that build "civic joy"...

•Rebuilding trust through relationships and transparency...

This episode highlights that finding a sustainable future for local news isn't just about business models; it's about reimagining how news can serve and empower communities and is an invitation for everyone to help co-create what comes next.