Veteran Journalist J.J. Green Addresses Disinformation Challenges

Veteran National Security Correspondent J.J. Green Shares Insights on Combating Disinformation

National security correspondent J.J. Green took a rare break from his globe-trotting career to visit Key Biscayne last week, bringing with him decades of journalistic wisdom and a new book aimed at helping everyday citizens navigate the complex world of disinformation.

Green, who has traveled to more than 50 countries over his 30-year career, appeared at the Key Biscayne Community Center at the invitation of local resident Laura Dagan. The event marked the launch of his book, “The Noise War,” which quickly drew a capacity crowd to the venue’s Lighthouse Room.

During his presentation, Green described his work as a “field manual” for confronting the daily barrage of misleading information that has become increasingly prevalent across media platforms. According to Green, understanding the mechanics of disinformation is the first crucial step toward defending against it.

“As humans, we all have emotions, like fear, anger, love, and hate. And purveyors of disinformation know how to use messages and push buttons to activate those emotions,” Green explained to the audience. “In other words, disinformation works because we are human.”

The veteran journalist offered practical advice for those seeking to avoid falling victim to false narratives. Chief among his recommendations: maintain emotional equilibrium when encountering provocative content.

“When you see things that upset you or make you angry, don’t be afraid,” he advised. “Stay calm. Disinformation makes us speed up, but it’s important to slow down and take a pause before beginning the verification process.”

Green revealed that “The Noise War” came together rapidly following a watershed moment in his career. Last October, he and several colleagues surrendered their press credentials rather than accept new Pentagon restrictions on reporting—a decision that highlighted the fragility of press freedoms even in democratic societies.

That experience triggered a middle-of-the-night epiphany. “Something could happen to you at any moment that you would never expect,” Green recalled thinking. He awoke at 3 a.m. with an urgent sense that he needed to document what his extensive field experience had taught him about navigating disinformation landscapes.

“I felt that if I didn’t set down what I’ve learned in a place where people can access it, I would have failed as a journalist who wants to help people,” he said. Within two months, the book was completed and published—an unusually swift timeline in the publishing industry, but one that reflects both the urgency of the subject matter and Green’s journalistic approach to writing.

Throughout his talk, Green emphasized the critical role journalists play as public surrogates, especially in an era of diminishing news resources. “People can’t be everywhere, so reporters need to go there and be there for them,” he said. He made a particular point of advocating for local journalism, noting that “all news comes from people who live someplace. And people don’t just live in the world or the nation – they live in communities.”

Despite the serious challenges facing both journalism and information integrity, Green expressed ongoing enthusiasm for his profession. The correspondent, who visited Key Biscayne with his wife Gina, said he remains driven by curiosity and the human connections that reporting facilitates.

“I have this little spark inside of me all the time about what the next story is going to be and what the next development’s going to be,” he said. “I’ve interviewed leaders and presidents, but I get just as much joy out of talking to the guy who is cleaning the street. They’re all stories.”

In an era when distinguishing fact from fiction has become increasingly challenging for news consumers, Green’s practical approach to verifying information represents a valuable contribution from someone who has witnessed information warfare on the frontlines across five continents—making his rare poolside respite in Key Biscayne well-earned.