GREENFIELD, Ind. (Oct. 1, 2026)— The Community Foundation of Hancock County is inviting community members to participate in Session 3 of News Navigators, a new educational series exploring the role of journalism, media, and information in our communities.

 The free series was designed to help participants better understand how news is created, how to evaluate information critically, and why credible local journalism remains essential to healthy communities and democracy.

 Session 3 is titled “Navigating Today’s Media Landscape: Discernment, Responsibility, and the Future of News.” It will take place on Monday, Oct. 26, at the Thrive Center, 971 W. U.S. 40 in Greenfield. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the program will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dinner will be provided.

 “News, information, and civic engagement touch every aspect of community life,” said Katie Ottinger, Community Investment & Grants Officer for the Community Foundation of Hancock County. “Through News Navigators, we hope to bring people together to explore these topics, learn from one another, and better understand the information environment that shapes our daily lives.”

 Session 3 will explore:

• Media literacy and critical consumption
• Misinformation and disinformation
• A.I. and the news ecosystem
• Responsibility in sharing and creating media

Featured speakers for the opening session include:

 Eric Schurenberg

Executive Director, Alliance for Trust in Media

Eric Schurenberg is a nationally recognized journalist, media executive, and advocate for building trust in journalism. He is the founder of the Alliance for Trust in Media, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between professional journalists and the communities they serve. Through research partnerships with news organizations across the country, the Alliance develops and shares strategies to foster trust, improve transparency, and equip audiences with critical media literacy skills. The organization also produces In Reality, a podcast exploring truth, disinformation, and the modern media landscape.

 Before launching the Alliance, Schurenberg served as CEO of Mansueto Ventures, publisher of Inc. and Fast Company, and previously held leadership roles at Inc., CBS MoneyWatch, Money magazine, and Fortune. An award-winning journalist and frequent media commentator, he has spent decades helping audiences navigate information and understand the forces shaping business, society, and public discourse. His insights on media literacy, trust, and discernment are especially relevant in today’s rapidly evolving information environment.

 Jason Peifer

Associate Dean of Graduate Affairs, Research & Creative Activity, The Media School, Indiana University Bloomington

Jason Peifer, Ph.D. (The Ohio State University), is an associate professor in the Media School at Indiana University. His research explores facets of citizens’ uncertainty about and trust in public institutions—especially as related to journalism practices, non-traditional news sources, and individuals’ perceptions of the news media’s importance. Some of Peifer’s most recent work includes examining the efficacy of different forms of journalistic transparency and cross-national perceptions of news and social media’s value. His scholarship has been published in a variety of outlets, including the Journal of Communication, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, Media Psychology, Computers in Human Behavior, Communication Methods & Measures, and the International Journal of Communication. With professional experience in public radio, Peifer teaches on topics—at the both the graduate and undergraduate levels—related to the foundations of journalism, news literacy, media ethics, public opinion, and political entertainment. Peifer is affiliated with IU’s Observatory on Social Media.  Peifer has been awarded with an Emerging Scholars grant by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC),  a Public Humanities Project grant, and a Social Sciences Research Funding Program grant.

 Registration is free, and community members of all ages and backgrounds are welcome.

 For more information or to register, visit celebratehancock.org and click the Talent Pathway tab. The direct registration link is https://hancock.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=8821.

 CFHC provides philanthropic leadership by encouraging giving, learning, community pride, and civic engagement. Working with caring individuals, families, and organizations to create or grow existing permanent endowment funds is critical to the organization’s mission. These funds generate income that is distributed in the form of grants and scholarships to enrich and enhance life in Hancock County, as well as support the donor’s favorite charitable causes, both at home and afar forever. CFHC has granted millions of dollars since its inception in 1992.