Why Don’t Americans Trust the News?
Summary
Host Leslie McClurg discusses the crisis of trust in journalism with John Buhin and Madeline Baer. Buhin details how rural news deserts fuel polarization, while Baer explains how El Timpano builds trust with immigrant communities through actionable, local reporting. The episode explores the decline of local news, the impact of social media, and the need for mission-driven, nonprofit journalism to restore public confidence.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and show introduction
Guest introductions and the information crisis
Decline of local news and loss of trust
Case study: The Border Belt in North Carolina
Political polarization and media bias perceptions
Latino communities and El Timpano's approach
Break and sponsor messages
Building trust through two-way communication
Consequences of news deserts on democracy
Impact of trusted news during crises
Listener calls and examples of media errors
Social media vs. traditional journalism accountability
Section 230 and platform liability
Business models and the collapse of local ads
Public funding and media exceptionalism
Influencer accountability and corrections
Future of journalism and public infrastructure
Closing remarks and sponsors
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