In this episode of On Assignment, host Liz Cochrane sits down with information ecosystem expert Jane Swisshelm to explore a core issue at the heart of modern journalism: trust. Drawing from research and lived experience in Central Pennsylvania, they unpack why rebuilding trust in news isn’t just about delivering facts—it’s about fostering relationships, transparency, and shared community spaces. From “news deserts” to intergenerational gaps in media consumption, Liz and Jane examine how local connection, humanized storytelling, and civic dialogue can rebuild the social fabric that makes trustworthy information possible.

This conversation highlights concrete ideas for journalists, educators, and communities seeking to reimagine local media in a time of deep division and digital disruption.