New Institute At Fresno State To Build Trust Between News Media, Consumers

With claims of fake news and alternative facts dominating social media and news headlines, it’s probably no surprise that public trust in media has taken a big hit in recent years. A new effort at Fresno State hopes to help reverse that trend. The university’s new Institute for Media and Public Trust, led by former Fresno Bee editor Jim Boren aims to close the credibility gap between news producers and consumers, and address the issue of media literacy. The institute will hold a public forum on the First Amendment and academic freedom at Fresno State next Monday. Valley Public Radio’s Joe Moore caught up with Boren yesterday to learn more about the program and the latest research on the issue, including a new survey from the Poytner Institute on public trust of local media.