UF Office of Public Policy Hosts Event on Misinformation, Trust and Digital Media

In a digital era where information flows freely but truth can be elusive, the University of Florida is tackling the challenges of online trust head-on. The university will host a free debate examining the reliability of online information on Tuesday, March 10 at 3:15 p.m. in the Reitz Union Auditorium.

The event, titled “Can You Trust Anything Online? How Facts Are Shaped, Shared and Challenged in the Digital Age,” aims to dissect the complexities of information consumption in today’s hyperconnected world. It is being organized by the UF Office of Public Policy Events with sponsorship from the ACCENT Speakers Bureau and the Dial Center for Speech and Communication Studies.

The timing of this discussion reflects growing public concern about information integrity. Recent studies from the Pew Research Center indicate that approximately 64% of Americans believe misinformation on social media has worsened over the past year, highlighting the timeliness and relevance of this campus dialogue.

Nathan Feuerberg, chair of the ACCENT Speakers Bureau, will moderate the event, which brings together distinguished academics and journalism professionals. The judges’ panel features three scholars from UF’s College of Journalism and Communications: Dr. Rebecca Frazer, Dr. Jieun Shin, and Dr. Won-Ki Moon. They will be joined by Ted Bridis, a veteran journalist whose extensive media experience brings a practical perspective to the theoretical discourse.

The debate occurs against a backdrop of rapidly evolving information technologies. Since 2020, the proliferation of AI content generators like ChatGPT has fundamentally altered the digital landscape, allowing for the creation of convincing but potentially misleading content at unprecedented scale. Meanwhile, algorithm-driven content curation on major platforms has created what experts call “filter bubbles,” where users primarily encounter information that reinforces existing beliefs.

Panelists will explore these algorithmic influences on information exposure, examining how recommendation systems on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook determine what users see—and what remains hidden from view. The discussion will also address the technical and ethical challenges of identifying AI-generated content, which has become increasingly sophisticated and difficult to distinguish from human-created material.

Beyond technological concerns, the debate will tackle policy questions at the intersection of free speech and responsible information management. Recent regulatory initiatives in the European Union’s Digital Services Act and ongoing congressional hearings in the United States underscore the global struggle to balance expression rights with the need for accountability in digital spaces.

The University of Florida’s initiative represents part of a broader trend among academic institutions to engage students and communities in critical media literacy. Similar forums have been held at institutions including Stanford, NYU, and the University of Texas, reflecting growing recognition that navigating the modern information environment requires specialized skills and awareness.

The event is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members, with refreshments provided immediately afterward. For those unable to attend in person, the university will record the debate and make it available online, extending the conversation beyond the physical confines of the campus.

As AI-generated content becomes increasingly prevalent and sophisticated, discussions like these provide essential forums for developing shared understanding of information challenges. The UF debate offers an opportunity for the academic community to engage with questions that affect not just scholarly discourse, but everyday information consumption and democratic participation in the digital age.