WSU Professor Shares Media Literacy Tips for Seniors

Erica Weintraub Austin to discuss navigating today's information landscape at free public talk.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Washington State University faculty member Erica Weintraub Austin will present a free public talk on Thursday, February 26th at 1:30 pm at the Lewis Alumni Centre in Pullman, WA. The presentation, which will also be available via Zoom, will focus on practical media literacy strategies for senior citizens to sort through the flood of information and misinformation in today's media environment.

Why it matters

As the news and information landscape has become increasingly complex, media literacy has become an essential skill, especially for older adults who may be more vulnerable to misinformation. This talk aims to empower seniors to critically evaluate the sources and content of the news and information they consume.

The details

Austin, who leads the Murrow Collaborative for Media and Health Promotion Research at WSU's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, will share strategies for identifying reliable sources, fact-checking claims, and navigating the digital media ecosystem. The event is sponsored by the WSU Retirees Association and parking is available immediately behind the Alumni Centre.

  • The talk will take place on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 1:30 pm.

The players

Erica Weintraub Austin

A faculty member at Washington State University's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, where she leads the Murrow Collaborative for Media and Health Promotion Research. Austin holds a doctorate from Stanford University and is ranked among the World's Top 2% Scientists for lifetime impact in Communication and Media Studies and Public Health.

WSU Retirees Association

The organization sponsoring the media literacy event for senior citizens.

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What they’re saying

“As the news and information landscape has become increasingly complex, media literacy has become an essential skill, especially for older adults who may be more vulnerable to misinformation.”

— Erica Weintraub Austin, Faculty Member, WSU Edward R. Murrow College of Communication (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The presentation will also be available via Zoom and recorded for later viewing.

The takeaway

This free public talk aims to empower senior citizens to critically evaluate the sources and content of the news and information they consume, equipping them with practical media literacy strategies to navigate today's complex information landscape.