By Joyce Mitchell

For the first time in a U.S. Presidential election, Artificial Intelligence (A-I) takes a lead role as a major influencer. Along with A-I, comes rampant misinformation, much of it garnered from social media. All of it is designed to impact people’s views on candidates and the issues.

This poses big issues for journalists. “This is important to society at large,” said Political Analyst Steve Swatt. In a half-hour forum, Swatt moderates a panel discussion with journalists to discuss misinformation and how it impacts reporting.

Panelists include CalMatters Investigative Reporter Byrhonda Lyons, Cal State University Sacramento (CSUS) Faculty Member and Author Rebecca LaVally and former KGO Reporter Wayne Freedman.  “There’s a very low barrier with social media that’s encouraging misinformation to go viral. It can happen fast and spread like wildfire,” said Freedman.

Statewide Investigative Reporter Lyons said that nobody knows who to believe anymore. “It is chaos.” Still, she said that reporters work to fact check and dig for truth. LaVally said that it gets tricky when sources lie. “People tend to remember the lie.”

The panel discussion is made possible by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) SF/NorCal Chapter. Again, it can be found on the EmmySF/NorCal website.

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