The Buzz 02.12.26

FREE SPEECH

What do teens think of the news media? It’s “Biased, Boring and Bad,” as the title of a report by the News Literacy Project states. In 2025, the nonprofit surveyed 750 teens between the ages of 13-18, asking them for their take on journalists. The vast majority – 84 percent – had a negative sentiment when they were asked what word best describes the media, with “Fake,” “False” and “Lies” among the most frequently used words. Roughly half of the respondents believed that reporters engage in unethical behaviors, such as making up details and doing favors for sources. In light of the sobering responses, the News Literacy Project recommended news organizations educate teens on how journalism works. Students should be taught how to recognize facts versus other types of information, such as social media commentary. “Equipped with a healthy skepticism, young people can more effectively hold the press (and other institutions) accountable, participate in civic life and protect themselves from misinformation, conspiracy theories and low-quality information sources,” the study states.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I’m not comfortable with just having supervisors submit district pet projects.” - Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, questioning how the projects recommended for Measure AA funding were chosen (see story, montereycountynow.com/news)

GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK

GOOD:

CSU Monterey Bay Professor Jose Pablo “JP” Dundore-Arias was recently recognized on a national scale, receiving early-career teacher honors from the 2025 Excellence in College and University Teaching Awards for Food and Agricultural Sciences. The awards, presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, celebrate professors who use innovative teaching methods. Dundore-Arias, director of CSUMB’s agricultural plant and soil science program, was one of two teachers across the nation to receive the award. “This award is recognition of the work that I’ve done, not by myself, but with the community,” he said. “For me, the importance is the motivation and impact it can have for my students. We’re doing great things and people are watching.” The award comes with a $2,000 stipend to be used for students’ educational experience.

GREAT:

A tragedy was averted when a U.S. Marine living in Pacific Grove experienced a mental health crisis on Feb. 1, thanks to two Pacific Grove Police officers who successfully deescalated the situation, according to PGPD Chief Casey Day and Col. Dana Demer, senior Marine representative at the Naval Postgraduate School, who spoke at a P.G. City Council meeting on Feb. 4. Sgt. Orlando Perez and Officer Kevin Shum were lauded by Demer who told the council it was his “honor to help recognize some of your finest that helped some of our finest.” He said he reported to his commanding general that “we would have had a much sadder situation had it not been for your officers,” adding that the Marine in question was receiving care. “I can’t thank you enough,” he said, handing each PGPD officer a special military challenge coin that recognizes outstanding performance.