CPP to host UW-Madison journalism professor on combating misinformation Oct. 23

Ripon College’s Center for Politics and the People (CPP) and the Department of Communication will host a presentation on misinformation in the news and media. The event will take place Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m. in Great Hall of Ripon College’s Harwood Memorial Union.

“The Misinformation Machine: Who Builds It, Who Buys It and How to Stop It” will be presented by Michael Wagner, professor of journalism and mass communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He is the William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea and Director of the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal (CCCR).

Wagner will share how false narratives spread and offer ways to combat them. Using research from the Course Correct project, which focuses on reducing misinformation, and his years of media experience, Wagner will discuss how misinformation works, the importance of journalism and practical tips for encouraging informed public discourse. Attendees will learn to spot misleading claims, grasp media influences and engage in more honest civic conversations.

His emphasis on political communication, public opinion and representation has shaped his four primary areas of investigation: (1) exploring the influence of mediated political messages on attitudes and behaviors, (2) examining how the interaction of psychological and contextual factors affect attitudes and behaviors, (3) how news logics influence political coverage and (4) industry-academy collaborative research.

He teaches every level of coursework in the UW–Madison School of Journalism & Mass Communication. He has won five university-wide teaching awards and regularly teaches a political communication summer course for legislative staffers in the Wisconsin State Legislature.

Wagner has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, co-authored several books, served as the major adviser for more than 10 completed Ph.D.s and is a committee member and adviser for more than 50 students across six departments.

Event admission is free and open to the public. The discussion will be live-streamed by Wisconsin Eye.

“Professor Wagner will bring evidence from Wisconsin and beyond, including the nonpartisan Course Correct project, to demonstrate what actually works to reduce misinformation exposure,” Henrik Schatzinger, professor and chair of political science and director of the CPP, said. “Attendees will gain practical strategies for use in their social media feeds, classrooms, newsrooms and workplaces.”