Technology has obliterated the traditional news model, giving rise to a new breed of partisan outlets exploited by the politically powerful. Citizens are left in a landscape where “truth” is subjective and trust in media and other institutions is at an all-time low. This talk looks at how we got to this point, why it is dangerous to our society, and what news outlets and consumers can do to try to repair the divide.
Robert Gehrke was raised in Utah and earned degrees in communications and political science from the University of Utah. An award-winning journalist, he has covered Utah government and politics for more than 25 years for The Associated Press and The Salt Lake Tribune. He has spent the last six years as an opinion columnist. In his spare time, he enjoys time with his dogs in the outdoors.
Part of the Kennedy Center's Winter 2023 lecture series, "Building a Civil Society."