In part I, we discussed how macro-level disruptions have created a climate of uncertainty and enabled misinformation to proliferate. We’ve replaced trust in institutions with trust in ourselves and our families. Ultimately this is to our detriment. In part II we’ll examine journalism’s role in overcoming these obstacles and the actions marketers can take. WHY CONTRACTION OF TRUST IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE NEED The phenomenon of contraction back to self is not new — social platforms have celebrated a narrative of individualism. However, the problems we face as a society such as COVID 19, racial injustice and climate change are too big to tackle individually or at the household level. A FRAMEWORK FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION… SORT OF In general, we know the problems we face will take collective action. BUT WITH SPECIFICITY, CONSENSUS BREAKS DOWN However, this framework breaks down when we ask about specific issues. Specificity creates complexity, disagreement, and splintering.  Even seemingly straightforward elements of problem solving, like agreeing on the nature of the problem, become points of contention. And so we reach the heart of the issue: What can help us create a framework of understanding for key issues so we can take the collective action required to solve them? THE IMPORTANCE OF JOURNALISM: A HUNGER FOR CREDIBLE CONTEXT Reliable information expressed through journalism is key — people are hungry for both local and national news to help them navigate disruption and take informed action. JOURNALISM MUST PUSH US BACK UP TO CONSENSUS There is a real opportunity for responsible journalism to create the consensus necessary to fix “big” societal problems. During this critical period, we must support journalism that: Tells stories to crystallize our “new” reality of disruption Combats the pandemic of misinformation Provides a safe haven for experts and local voices Encourages a

In this two-part series, we will dissect the conditions that have enabled misinformation to proliferate, discuss how to overcome the obstacles to consensus, and chart a way forward. Quality journalism is under attack from all sides, but never has it been more essential. During times of upheaval, credible reporting at the local and national levels play a vital role in society’s ability to take collective action. But what happens when misinformation becomes so prevalent that we are unable to recognize when the truth is actually true? 76% of us believe we have seen news that contradicts what we believe to be true.  Tellingly, we’re exposed to misinformation on the platforms we spend the most time with such as social networks, and from sources we should trust most, like the President or News organizations. HOW MISINFORMATION LEADS TO CONTRACTION During a time where trust is essential to global health and the national economy,  the expansive stream of misinformation narrows and localizes it. With trust eroding, so goes our expectations and faith in larger society to do the right thing.  As a result, we start placing the bulk of our trust only in ourselves and our families. In moments of crisis such as the coronavirus pandemic trust beyond the individual level becomes imperative to solving the collective problem—this requires trustworthy journalism at a local and national scale. WHY CONTRACTION OF TRUST IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE NEED The phenomenon of contraction back to self is not new.  If you think about the past two decades, social platforms have celebrated a narrative of individualism. However, the problems we face as a society are too big to tackle individually or at the household level. In part II we’ll examine the point in which consensus begins to break down and chart a path forward.

The special five-part podcast series, hosted by Sean Rameswaram, debuts today — subscribe here.

Spradley leads the country’s largest sports network with eyes on growth.

In an interview with The Information’s Jessica Toonkel, Bankoff describes leading through this moment, how Vox Media is working with advertisers, and accelerated efforts across programmatic, podcasting and consumer revenue

Fully integrated campaign from Vox Media’s brand studio includes a shoppable, look inside the tiny-home via a 360 tour experience and an Explainer video detailing the sustainable features of the IKEA home with tips for how to incorporate green practices into everyday life

From the team that brought you Little America, season one offers a compelling exploration into the dotcom bubble of 2000, hosted by Julia Furlan

In 2019, Eater exclusively launched its expansive video library on Roku — today the network expands its offering to audiences across Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV

The user-friendly tool will allow brands of all sizes to build custom Athena ad units to run across a collection of trusted media brands within the Concert and Concert Local marketplaces

Jim Bankoff, Amanda Kludt, Dylan Matthews Kara Swisher, Scott Galloway, and more join the virtual stage

Narrators Leonardo DiCaprio, Selena Gomez, and John Legend explore America’s electoral system in the latest installment of Vox’s “Explained” franchise, premiering today on Netflix

As an official media partner, Polygon will bring programming that celebrates the diverse communities, weird fandoms, popular franchises, and undiscovered talent that shape pop culture

We need local news more than ever. The value of trusted local journalism has never been more clear: as trust in government erodes, it is independent reporting that provides the necessary oversight and illumination to inform the public and hold policymakers accountable — local newspapers are responsible for half of the country’s original reporting despite only accounting for 25% of the media outlets. In times of crisis, we rely on trusted information from local outlets to stay safe and informed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, local publishers have seen a significant boost in readership as information about community response has become essential; many have even dropped their paywalls in service of delivering vital information at the expense of short-term revenue gains. Despite this surge in value and readership, many local publishers find themselves on the brink of collapse. This year, local advertising revenue could drop as much as 25%, perpetuating and accelerating a crisis that’s been building for years. For vulnerable local publishers already facing an uphill battle, it could spell doom. To help prevent more news deserts from popping up throughout the country, local publishers need the support of the nation’s biggest advertisers. These high stakes present an opportunity to better understand the connection that local news fosters between audiences and their communities, and whether that same connection can translate to untapped opportunity for national advertisers. We know that supporting local news is good for our world and society, but is it also better at driving business outcomes for advertisers? Vox Media partnered with the global research firm Nielsen to test this theory. Here’s what we learned: Local news helps build incremental audiences In our study, we found that 38% of local news site visitors do not visit any national news sites — meaning a large audience is not being

Audiences are looking to podcasts for content they can’t get anywhere else

Introducing “Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism In America” from the Vox Media Podcast Network

The new community pairs the storytellers behind acclaimed programming including “Dorktown,” “Beef History,” and Jon Bois’s ASME-winning “17776” with an interactive community platform at sbnation.com/secret-base

Q&A with Bijan Stephen, Reporter, and Mariya Abdulkaf, Video Producer, outlines how “Capturing the Police” was developed

“Eater’s Guide To The World” Debuts on November 11 with Emmy® Nominated Actress Maya Rudolph To Narrate Straight-to-Series Order for Docuseries “The Next Thing You Eat” from James Beard Award-Winning Chef David Chang and Academy Award® Winning Documentary Filmmaker Morgan Neville Emmy® nominated actress Maya Rudolph will narrate the upcoming original Hulu series “Eater’s Guide To The World,” premiering November 11. The series, developed by Eater and Vox Media Studios, explores some of the most satisfying culinary destinations around the world including the Pacific Northwest, Casablanca, Tijuana and Costa Rica. Leveraging Eater’s in-depth knowledge of food around the world with its dedicated global network of journalists and contributors, “Eater’s Guide To The World” offers the award-winning network’s unique insight into local food communities and a broad, inclusive perspective on the experiences and people shaping food culture today. Lauren Cynamon, Chad Mumm, Mark W. Olsen and Amanda Kludt serve as executive producers and the series is produced by Eater and Vox Media Studios. From the Emmy® nominated creators of Ugly Delicious—James Beard Award winning chef David Chang and Academy Award® winning documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville—“The Next Thing You Eat” is a six-episode docuseries that explores the seismic changes happening all around us and how they affect not only the restaurant world but people’s fundamental relationship to food. Chang and a diverse cast of correspondents will take an unflinching look at the challenges and opportunities ahead, including how our food is grown, who cooks it, how we pay for it, and whether or not deliciousness will fall by the wayside. “The Next Thing You Eat” is produced by Tremolo Productions and Majordomo Media for Vox Media Studios—executive producers include David Chang, Christopher Chen, David O’Connor and Chris Ying on behalf of Majordomo Media, Morgan Neville and Caitrin Rogers on behalf of Tremolo

Avery Trufelman to host and B.A. Parker to produce

The Pulitzer Center and Diversify Photo are thrilled to announce a new collaboration with Vox for the Eyewitness Photojournalism Grant, as well as an extension of the grant deadline to August 7, 2020. The Eyewitness Grant supports underreported stories told by freelance photojournalists historically underrepresented in the American press. Now, as part of this program, one of the grant finalists will have the opportunity to work with the Vox editorial team to develop and publish a story along with their visual series. We encourage photographers to continue seeking commitment from outlets to publish their work, but we hope this partnership with Vox will open doors for photographers still seeking a distribution plan to apply for the grant. During the judging process, Diversify Photo, the Pulitzer Center editorial team, and the Eyewitness jury will work with the Vox team to identify a recipient whose story will be published on the site. “The American news media is a relationship-based industry and too often, this means audiences miss out on great stories from journalists without access to editors,” said Andrea Wise and Brent Lewis, co-founders of Diversify Photo. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with such a conscientious and forward-thinking media outlet to ensure the stories we fund find an audience, regardless of applicants’ prior relationships with editors.” “Vox exists to empower its readers through journalism that explains the ideas and issues shaping our country and the wider world beyond,” said Kainaz Amaria, Visuals Editor, Vox. “We are grateful to be able to partner with the Pulitzer Center and Diversify Photo, and look forward to working with one of the talented photographers—leveraging our platform to publish their work.” “The Pulitzer Center is thrilled to welcome Vox as a partner in the Eyewitness Photojournalism Grant,” said Marina Walker Guevara, the Center’s executive editor. “We need the leadership of news organizations like Vox to give visibility to the stories of journalists of color who historically have been

As part of the Your News Update audio news briefing, audiences can tune into custom produced audio segments from Vox’s daily news podcast, Today, Explained on Google Assistant-enabled devices in the US today, with more content from Vox to premiere next month