In this moment of toxic polarization, declining support for journalism, and the spread of new generative AI technology, it’s becoming more and more difficult to sort fact from fiction. However, data shows that despite this, people trust friends and family—more so than the media. Interpersonal connections can go a long way to spreading fact-based information in our communities. PEN America’s Trusted Messenger Program is an attempt at leveraging this trust and supporting community-level resilience against false and misleading information.
This workshop, geared towards organizers living in rural communities or small towns, will use the principles of relational organizing and grassroots engagement to empower attendees to engage in difficult conversations with friends and family and to promote broader news diets as a barrier to the spread of disinformation. After a presentation on disinformation and communication strategies to address it within communities, there will be breakout rooms for participants to practice these skills.
