On Assignment by The Assignment Desk

In this special supplemental episode of On Assignment, guest host Marianne Keller explores a growing crisis that’s quietly reshaping life in America: the expansion of news deserts — communities with little to no access to reliable local news.

More than 3,200 newspapers have vanished since 2005. Jobs have disappeared. Local stories go untold. Government oversight weakens. And millions of people — particularly in rural, low-income, and minority communities — are left in an information void.

We break down:

• What news deserts are and where they're spreading
• How a lack of local journalism harms democracy, accountability, and civic life
• The disproportionate impact on underserved communities
• Promising solutions: nonprofit newsrooms, philanthropic support, new ownership models, and policy innovations

With insights from research at Northwestern, Columbia Journalism Review, Nieman Lab, UNC, and more, this episode dives deep into the consequences of vanishing local news — and what can be done to fix it.

Where do people  get their news—and what does that say about the health of our civic life? In this episode of On Assignment, host Gath Townsend is joined by media ecosystem expert Marianne Keller to unpack the findings of Central Pennsylvania first-ever Information Ecosystem Map. They explore how traditional and informal sources—from newspapers to Facebook groups—shape community connection, trust, and participation.

Together, they discuss the decline of legacy news, the rise of social media, and the urgent need to reimagine local information systems for a more inclusive, connected, and action-ready future.

🎧 Topics include:

• News deserts and “information jungles”
• Rebuilding trust through relationships
• Why local voices and solutions matter
• How media can foster “civic joy”

This episode is a starting point for anyone who believes local information should serve everyone—not just those already tuned in.

Welcome to a special episode of On Assignment, where we explore journalism’s biggest questions and boldest challenges. Guest hosted by Jane Swisshelm, and today we’re asking: How can news organizations earn back the public’s trust?

In a time of rampant misinformation, political polarization, and digital noise, trust in the media is at a critical low. But there are real, research-backed strategies that newsrooms are using right now to rebuild that connection with the public.

We dive into:

• How transparency — like showing how stories are reported — boosts credibility.
• The power of “explain your process” tools and Trust Indicators.
• Why engagement and listening to communities fosters stronger relationships.
• The importance of accuracy, fairness, and authentically showing up in local news.
• And how “care” in journalism may be the next frontier in building lasting trust.

With insights from the Center for Media Engagement, The Trust Project, Trusting News, ICFJ, the American Press Institute, and the Reuters Institute, this episode is packed with practical ideas for how journalism can not only survive — but thrive — by earning back your trust.

In this episode of On Assignment, host Liz Cochrane sits down with information ecosystem expert Jane Swisshelm to explore a core issue at the heart of modern journalism: trust. Drawing from research and lived experience in Central Pennsylvania, they unpack why rebuilding trust in news isn’t just about delivering facts—it’s about fostering relationships, transparency, and shared community spaces. From “news deserts” to intergenerational gaps in media consumption, Liz and Jane examine how local connection, humanized storytelling, and civic dialogue can rebuild the social fabric that makes trustworthy information possible.

This conversation highlights concrete ideas for journalists, educators, and communities seeking to reimagine local media in a time of deep division and digital disruption.