A panel of experts will discuss the distrust that has widened among journalists, public relations professionals and the government at “Fake News Blues” at 7 p.m., Monday, April 3, in Mitchell Hall on the University of Delaware’s Newark campus.

The panel discussion will focus on recent events in which President Donald Trump's spokespeople have accused the news media of bias and sabotage, and reporters have pushed back on inaccurate information coming from the White House.

Panelists will discuss the impact of this national showdown on the public's trust and confidence in government, media and public relations professionals; steps each profession can take to restore and maintain trust in each other and the public; and the ethical obligations of journalists and public relations professionals, as well as how each profession can efficiently manage intentional or unintentional breaches of trust.

Participants will be

Charles Lewis, a 1975 UD alumnus who founded the Center for Public Integrity and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Lewis is now a professor and founding executive editor of the Investigative Reporting Workshop at the American University School of Communication in Washington, D.C.

Nichole Dobo, a staff writer and social media editor at the Hechinger Report with more than 10 years of experience writing about education. She previously was a staff writer at the Wilmington, Delaware, News Journal.

Jason Levine, the editorial board editor and sports editor for the News Journal, with expertise in digital and print media, social media and branding. A nationally honored writer and editor, he has more than 20 years of experience in the industry.

Leon Tucker, a communications expert and veteran journalist, who is director of communications at the Delaware Department of Labor. Tucker formerly was assistant city editor of the News Journal and is the past president of the Delaware chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

The panel discussion is free and open to the public. Registration, which is recommended but not required, is available at this website.

The event is sponsored by the Journalism Program and the Center for Political Communication at UD and the Delaware chapter of PRSA.