What if the key to healing our national divisions isn’t in Washington, but right next door? In this episode of On Assignment, host Liz Cochrane explores the idea of “Quantum Civics” — the notion that small, local civic actions can ripple out to address some of our deepest societal rifts. She’s joined by Dr. Kenji Nakamura, a San Francisco-based researcher whose work bridges political psychology and grassroots organizing, to unpack how local conversations, trust-building, and shared problem-solving can depolarize even the most divided communities. From library conversations in fictional Harmony Creek to real-world initiatives like Braver Angels’ “Walk A Mile In My News,” this episode challenges the way we think about civic life — and offers hopeful, practical paths forward.

In this special bonus episode of On Assignment, guest host Dr. Marisol Treviño unpacks the complex world of user-generated content (UGC) — the citizen-shot videos, social media posts, and crowdsourced stories that are rapidly reshaping modern journalism.

From the frontlines of breaking news to investigative reporting powered by public contributions, Dr. Treviño explores how newsrooms are leveraging everyday voices to enhance coverage — and the very real challenges of verification, bias, and trust that come with it. Featuring case studies from The New York Times, ProPublica, and Al-Arabiya, this episode dives into the tools, motivations, and ethical questions behind UGC.

What does it take to maintain credibility in a world where everyone’s a publisher? And how can journalists engage audiences without compromising journalistic standards?

Whether you're a newsroom veteran or a news-hungry citizen, this episode offers a timely, insightful look at the shifting dynamics between the press and the public.

User-generated content—or UGC—is reshaping the way news is gathered, reported, and consumed. In this episode of On Assignment, host Gath Townsend sits down with digital media expert Dr. Marisol Treviño to explore how everyday people are becoming part of the journalistic process through photos, tweets, videos, and on-the-ground reporting.

They dive into the origins of UGC, its impact on breaking news coverage, and the rise of participatory and citizen journalism. But with great access comes great responsibility: how do newsrooms verify content, preserve editorial standards, and maintain public trust in an era of misinformation?

We’ll look at innovative initiatives like The Documenters Network and ABC Open, the challenges of moderation, and what it takes for journalists to adapt to this new media landscape. Whether you're a journalist, a media student, or just a news consumer, this episode will give you a deeper understanding of the forces transforming today’s newsrooms.