Journalists are expected to seek and report the truth, but also to minimize harm. They make hard decisions about what to share and how. Where should the line be drawn between the public's right to know and a person’s right to privacy? Should public figures be treated differently? #UWJ201 #303

We've discussed how persuasion is more rational and considers the best info/collective interest whereas manipulation is more emotional and leans toward selected info/self-interest. How can we tell, though, when someone is persuading us for our own good versus manipulating us for theirs? #UWJ201 #303

AI-generated content is making it harder to tell what's true. However, as we saw this week, the issue isn’t just about deepfakes—misinformation spreads through trusted circles. How do you decide what’s credible before sharing? Should platforms or individuals bear more responsibility? #UWJ201 #303

In class last week, we discussed how the relative hostile media effect occurs when people compare sources and see varying levels of bias. Does this encourage critical thinking or instead reinforce existing beliefs by letting people gravitate toward sources aligning with their views? #UWJ201 #303

Last lecture, we saw that TV helps close knowledge gaps by being more accessible than newspapers, but they are also more superficial. Is the trade-off between accessibility and depth worth it? How can media outlets improve to close knowledge gaps without sacrificing accessibility? #UWJ201 #303

On Monday, it was discussed that activists want journalists to spend more time understanding their causes and building trust. Should journalists collaborate more closely with activists to ensure accurate/nuanced coverage, or does this put their independence or nonpartisanship at risk? #UWJ201 #303

How important is the credibility of a source in determining the effectiveness of a frame? Given the prevalence of misinformation and the lack of fact-checking, as we have seen previously, could a less credible source still significantly sway public opinion with a compelling frame? #UWJ201 #303

While with social media people can draw attention to topics mainstream media might ignore, many online discussions still originate from traditional news coverage. Does this mean traditional media still holds ultimate control, or is the agenda becoming more decentralized? #UWJ201 #303

This week, we talked a lot in class about the power of media in shaping public behavior. Do you believe that media outlets should be allowed to endorse political candidates, given that such endorsements would likely influence news coverage and public opinion? #UWJ201 #303

Prof. Wagner discussed today the "demassification of audience" and the rise of personalized ads. Lecture also begin with a look into patterns of news consumption across political parties. Do you think audience demassification contributes to a polarization in news consumption? #UWJ201 #303

Chess sets and books saw a boom in sales with the release of 'The Queen’s Gambit'. What aspects of the show perhaps contributed to this surge in popularity? Additionally, is it likely the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in amplifying this sale trend? #UWJ201 #303

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