The UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications featured Jenna Johnson, deputy democracy editor for the Washington Post, at the 2023 Seline Lecture. The talk, “Deepening polarization, rampant misinformation and the erosion of democracy in the United States,” took place on Tuesday, April 11 on UNL’s City Campus.
Johnson's extensive career at The Washington Post spans almost 15 years, during which she has covered several political campaigns and worked with nearly every section of the newsroom. She was the lead reporter for Donald Trump's presidential campaign and covered the Trump White House for over a year. Currently, she leads a team focused on the electoral process and voting rights, managing reporters nationwide and leading collaborations with journalists engaged in democracy coverage.
During the lecture, Johnson shared her insights and experiences about the challenges journalists face in an environment where many Americans are no longer sure which facts to believe and are quick to believe the ones they like best. She discussed how political affiliation now defines much more than where one stands on policy issues and how it often dictates how people get their news and which sources to trust.
The Seline Lecture, established in 2010, engages journalism innovators and thought leaders on critical industry challenges.
Funded by the Seline Family in memory of their parents S. Allen and Kathleen D. Seline, the Seline Lecture is free and open to the public. It will be aired on 90.3 KRNU and streamed live on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/JuOzQl17iKI?feature=share.
"We were thrilled to have Jenna Johnson as our featured speaker for this year's Seline Lecture," said Shari Veil, dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. "Her expertise in political reporting and democracy coverage provided valuable insights for our students and the broader community."
More information about the Seline Lecture can be found at https://journalism.unl.edu/seline-lecture-series.
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