PEN America interviews Andrew DeVigal. Before joining the University of Oregon, DeVigal was an award-winning multimedia editor at The New York Times
What role can local journalists play in the fight against disinformation, specifically as it relates to local politics and the 2024 election? What do you think they can teach their counterparts on national political beats?
Local journalists are pivotal in combating disinformation, particularly in the context of regional politics and the upcoming election. They have the unique advantage of being deeply embedded in their communities, which allows them to understand local issues, stakeholders and cultural nuances. This proximity enables them to quickly identify and correct false information circulating within their communities. Moreover, local journalists can foster stronger trust relationships with their audiences by being more accessible and transparent, encouraging community members to turn to them for reliable information rather than dubious sources. They can also teach their national counterparts the importance of community engagement and relationship-building. Engaged journalism, which emphasizes collaboration with the public, can be particularly effective. Local journalists can gather diverse perspectives and foster a more inclusive narrative that mitigates the spread of misinformation by actively involving community members in the reporting process. National journalists can adopt these practices to build trust and credibility on a larger scale, emphasizing transparency and community participation to combat disinformation.