Media Literacy Event: Navigating Information and Disinformation in Today’s News Landscape, Hosted by Indivisible Hingham Hull on May 13

Local journalists Candy and Robert Thomson will lead a discussion on the evolving media landscape at an upcoming Indivisible Hingham Hull meeting on May 13. The event, scheduled from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Hingham Community Center, will explore the dramatic transformation of news media in recent decades and offer guidance on navigating today’s complex information environment.

The Thomsons, both veteran journalists with extensive careers in print and broadcast media, will address how news consumption has fundamentally changed and what citizens can do to stay properly informed amid the proliferation of information and disinformation.

Their presentation will examine the full spectrum of modern journalism—from global news organizations like The New York Times and BBC to regional outlets such as The Boston Globe and WBUR, and local publications including the Hingham Anchor and Hull Times. The couple will highlight how these varied news sources collectively work to keep communities informed and engaged.

The discussion comes at a critical time for journalism. Traditional media outlets have faced unprecedented challenges over the past two decades, with newspaper circulation declining sharply and thousands of local publications shuttering operations nationwide. The rise of digital platforms has fragmented audiences and disrupted advertising-based business models that sustained journalism for generations.

Meanwhile, social media has created new channels for information sharing but also accelerated the spread of misinformation, presenting citizens with increasingly complex choices about where to find reliable news.

Candy Thomson brings decades of journalistic experience to the conversation. An Emerson College graduate, she began her career in radio news and at small newspapers in New Hampshire before advancing to editorial positions at Connecticut publications including the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time. Her career later took her to the Baltimore Sun, where she served in various roles including deputy business editor, features writer, local bureau chief, and sports reporter. Her sports coverage included reporting from five Olympic Games.

Robert Thomson’s journalism career spans equally impressive territory. He started at Staten Island’s The Register before working at the Reporter Dispatch in New York’s northern suburbs and at Newsday in both New York City and Long Island. In 1988, he joined The Washington Post as an editor at the City Desk, ultimately concluding his print journalism career as a local columnist for the Post in 2017.

The event reflects Indivisible Hingham Hull’s broader mission of fostering civic engagement and democratic participation. The organization, which is not affiliated with any political party, welcomes participants from all communities who share their commitment to supporting democratic institutions and encouraging thoughtful public discourse.

Media industry analysts note that such community discussions have taken on heightened importance as Americans increasingly struggle to distinguish between factual reporting and opinion-based content. A recent Pew Research Center study found that nearly 60% of Americans have little confidence in their ability to recognize misleading news, highlighting the value of media literacy conversations led by experienced journalists.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Hingham Community Center, located at 70 South Street in Hingham. No registration is required to attend.