Author: Jim Boren
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Some writers have a natural talent, but the rest of us can be very good writers if we work at it on a daily basis
In my journalism classes at Fresno State, we commit ourselves to improving our writing by working at it on a daily basis. As we tap out sentences on our keyboards, we think about how the words that we use sound to others. That’s important because we are not writing for ourselves. In newswriting, our goal…
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We’re celebrating our 3rd birthday with an increased focus on improving media literacy and exposing disinformation
When we established the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State three years ago, I was asked if our work to identify fake news and promote media literacy represented short-term problems that would sort themselves out in a few years on their own. We now know that these challenges not only aren’t going…
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Media literacy is crucial for anyone who uses a digital device. It should be an educational priority in K-12 schools.
In our 21st century society, we use computers to access almost everything we do. Consider how many times that you’ve logged onto the internet today to shop, check bank account balances, use social networks and work remotely from home. But the problem for many is that they have little understanding of how their personal information…
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We’ve compiled 8 tips for identifying false content that you may encounter on the Internet. Use them to be a smart media consumer.
Look past your personal political biases. This is crucial in sorting out news content. We often believe the worst about people or politicians we despise. Those biases can blind us to what we are sharing on social media, even if there are red flags that suggest the stories may not be factual. Do you recognize the…
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A major failure of U.S. media organizations has been their inability (or unwillingness) to diversify their reporting staffs
It has been more than 40 years since the American Society of News Editors adopted a goal of having newsrooms match the racial and ethnic make-up of the general population. Clearly, media outlets have had more than enough time to determine a strategy to hire journalists that reflect the diversity of their communities. But the much-discussed…
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Concerned about phony content on the internet? Empower yourself by embracing media literacy and becoming a wise digital consumer.
If anyone thinks misinformation and disinformation challenges will diminish now that the divisive 2020 presidential election has been settled, they aren’t watching the next phase of information manipulation. It’s only going to get worse, especially as many news consumers seek out information silos that confirm their political biases. Gone are the days when we had…
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This is unacceptable. Madera County officials inadvertently reveal what their real attitude is about making public records available to journalists.
The First Amendment Coalition and the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State have written a letter to Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler criticizing his ugly response to a journalist for The Fresno Bee, who made a public records request to the county. Journalists act as the public’s representative in making public records…
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Fresno State’s Media, Communications and Journalism Dept. issues statement supporting journalists, condemning Jan. 6 attack on our democracy
This statement was issued on Tuesday by the faculty of the Media, Communications and Journalism Department at Fresno State: The Department of Media, Communications and Journalism (MCJ) strongly condemns the January 6 mob violence at our nation’s Capitol aimed at blocking the Constitutional duties of our elected representatives. As a department that teaches ethical truth-telling…
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I am angry that my journalism colleagues regularly face threats of violence while they work to bring you the news
As a veteran journalist who started my career when Richard Nixon was president, I can tell you that there has always been an uneasy relationship between the news media and the people they cover. Over the years, many tried to get me fired when they didn’t like stories that I wrote. I once was physically…
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Join us to improve media literacy and fight ‘disinformation’ by making an end-of-the-year donation to the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State
You can help improve media literacy and support our other work at the Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust by making an end-of-the-year donation to the Institute. In 2020, we focused on identifying fake news involving the election and the pandemic and added a new program to train journalists of color to help…
Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State 