On Wednesday, March 26, Monmouth University hosted a “Restoring Public Trust: The Role of Media in Advancing Civility and Informed Policy” event in Pollak Theater.
The panel, part of the university’s ongoing “Leadership, Civility, and Common Ground in Politics and Public Service” series, featured welcome remarks from University President Dr. Patrick Leahy and was moderated by State Senator Vin Gopal (D) and former State Senator Joe Kyrillos (R). The panelists included Briana Vannozzi, the Emmy award-winning anchor of NJ Spotlight News and David Wildstein, editor of the New Jersey Globe.
Leahy welcomed the audience by speaking on the series, mentioning there have been civility discussions with the leaders of the state legislature, one last year with three former governors and this year, the media. He said, “a free and fair press is essential to a functioning democracy.” He then introduced Chair of the College Republicans, Jacky Bruno and President of the College Democrats, Owen Bros.
After Bruno introduced Kyrillos, Bros introduced Gopal. Vannuzzi began by stating the press is in “uncharted waters” and how partisan bloggers and podcasters, who aren’t held to the same journalistic standard as journalists, are taking over the mainstream media and news feeds.
Kyrillos agreed, “There is more information than ever before, but people are less informed.”
Wildstein stated that print newspapers have seen an 85% to 92% drop in circulation over the last 15 years.
When asked about whether the loss of print newspaper is dangerous, Vannozzi explained the danger is not the physical newspaper itself, but the lack of coverage where it matters. She mentioned how actions at your local board of education or city council are more important to your daily lives than the actions of the federal government.
Wildstein emphasized how the coverage of past scandals on political candidates aren’t always a good thing. “People are allowed to evolve,” he said, “People are flawed. The media needs to know that.”
Vannuzzi called on journalists to be independent and relay the message rather than spin a story for a political purpose. She said, “Don’t bring chaos to the chaos” and expressed the need to maintain calm, garner trust and check their egos.
Vannuzzi called on the audience to challenge themselves, “If you’re someone who only ever watches FOX or MSNBC, check yourself.” She called for viewers to do their research, use trusted sources and understand our role in preventing the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
Senator Gopal expressed his concern for the, “Movement of distrust,” for academics, doctors, physicians, elected officials and the media.
The panel closed by talking about the danger of anonymous accounts harassing public officials via social media. Kyrillos said he, “Paid no attention” to the comments under his posts. Gopal said he and his team do view them, and find many do not even live within his district, which includes Monmouth County.
The panel then accepted a few questions from the audience before concluding. The moderators and panelists stayed afterwards to speak with members from the crowd individually. Approximately 200 people were in attendance for the event.
