Fact or Fiction: Navigating the Age of Fake News
Let's Be Real Podcast Ep. 1
Michaela Scott and Lilla Gleeson
April 24, 2025
As technology continues to shape our lives, social media helps us stay connected with friends and family and keeps us informed on global news and other critical events in the world. However, in an age where truth competes with clicks, misinformation is spreading like wildfire.
In this podcast, Lilla and Michaela offer a powerful message to listeners about the harms of fake news. In traditional media, editors verify information to maintain integrity and credibility. On social media, anyone with a mobile device can publish any piece of content without credentials or oversight.
Nowadays, posts can ‘go viral’ in minutes, reaching millions of phones before any individual decides to fact-check. Recently, viral conspiracy theories related to U.S. politics and misleading nutritional advice are taking over TikTok trends. According to Facebook’s Internal Research on Misinformation in 2021, fake news received significantly more engagement than factual content. This example underscores the pervasive nature of misleading posts, highlighting how critical it is to examine all media consumed.
Throughout the podcast, the hosts highlight necessary tools and strategies to combat the spread of fake news and misinformation on the web. Their call to action is clear: Be skeptical, ask questions and don’t believe everything you read on the internet.
Multimedia Reporting (JMC 3154) at Virginia Tech prepares students to meet the demands of modern journalism by developing professional reporting strategies and digital storytelling skills. The course offers hands-on experience in news writing, audio and video production, and data visualization, using industry-standard tools to create compelling multimedia content. Students build a digital portfolio in Adobe Portfolio, showcasing traditional news articles, podcast-style audio stories, and interactive visuals. Tools like Adobe Audition are used to edit audio reports and interviews, while Adobe Illustrator helps transform raw data into clear, engaging infographics. Throughout the course, students are challenged to think critically about how different formats influence public understanding, with a strong emphasis on ethical reporting and audience engagement. Each project builds toward a cohesive, professional portfolio that reflects a deep understanding of multimedia journalism and digital communication.
