Thread by @Princeton

In just a few short minutes we'll be tweeting live from this 👇 event, featuring panelists @KevinMKruse, @deborahamos, @MarshallProj founder Bill Keller, and @AndrewChignell and moderated by @Joe_Stephens. #PrincetonU

Director of the #PrincetonU Program in Journalism @Joe_Stephens starts off by noting the importance of discussions like today's "to keep democracy healthy and functioning."

Starting off with the question, "Do you trust the news media?"

Prof. @KevinMKruse's quick response? "Yes."

When it comes to trusting the news media, @KevinMKruse adds, "I'm a historian ... I'm familiar with the long history of the conservative case against mainstream media."

He gives a brief history of the last 50 years and how much trust people have put into the news media.

Next up is Bill Keller, Visiting McGraw Prof. Of Writing, former exec. Editor of @nytimes and founding Editor in Chief of the @MarshallProj.

Keller says that some of the mistrust is on the audience, who "expect news reports to be short and uncomplicated" and entertaining.

Keller goes on to provide some advice on how to change this "trust" crisis.

"Identify your sources, own up to your mistakes ...Fact checking is important ... You need to pay attention to falsehoods." He also says there needs to be more media literacy classes in schools.

Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor in Religion, Philosophy and the University Center for Human Values @AndrewChignell discusses what trust is and its many definitions and meanings - along with their vulnerabilities.

Do we feel disappointed or do we feel betrayed when we realize there has been misinformation in the media?

"It's unclear," says @andrewchignell.

Ferris prof. of Journalism in Residence and international correspondent for @NPR @deborahamos says, "The media as a conglomerate simply does not exist ... 'Do I trust media?', I find, is just a false question ...

Really what we're asking tonight is 'Is democracy in trouble?'"

"We are having this conversation in a post-truth world, and we may be in a post-trust world," says @deborahamos.

She goes on to ask, "Do we need to redefine trust?" while noting that some polls about trust are confusing and poorly defined.

"Do we need to worry about trust?" asks @Joe_Stephens.

"There's a rigor in worrying which keeps you on your toes," answers @deborahamos.

"Do we need to worry about mistrust?" rebuts Bill Keller.

With over 350K followers on Twitter, prof. @KevinMKruse knows a thing or two about the platform.

"It's a great way that reporters can show their work."

"Twitter does let you sample a variety of views," says @KevinMKruse, "to follow people who have a different perspective, especially in the news media ... I think it causes me to challenge some of my own assumptions in a healthy way."

Agreeing with @KevinMKruse on the positive uses of social media, @deborahamos says, "There are so many stories I see [bubbling up] 2 days before they get to the mainstream media ... it's a tip sheet for all of us."

Advice from @KevinMKruse on getting trustworthy news: "Part of it is to be mindful of what you consume ... not just clickbait ... but really put your money behind this ... support your local newspaper!"

He continues, "Really think about what you consume & pay for what you want."

On utilizing librarians for media literacy...

@KevinMKruse: "I teach history. Part of that is teaching students how to read a source."

@AndrewChignell will incorporate them in his "Ethics of Food" course.

@Joe_Stephens applauds those at @PULibrary who have assisted in classes.

Thanks to this afternoon's panelists @KevinMKruse, Bill Keller, @AndrewChignell and @deborahamos and moderator @Joe_Stephens!