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The Renewed Relevance of 'Trust Me'

In an era where misinformation runs rampant on social media and traditional news outlets alike, the multi-award-winning documentary Trust Me has garnered renewed acclaim. Produced by the Getting Better Foundation and directed by the Oscar-nominated Roko Belic, this feature documentary hit the screens five years ago but has never been more relevant. After its 2020 debut at the U.S. State Department's Global Conference on Media Literacy, the film quickly became a vital resource in the ongoing battle against the spread of false information.

A Timely Tool Against Misinformation

The documentary takes a deep dive into the psychology and social dynamics that contribute to misinformation. It highlights human tendencies toward negativity, various biases such as gender and racial prejudices, and how these elements lead to entrenched confirmation biases. With profit-driven motives steering much of modern media, Trust Me raises critical questions about the credibility of reputable news sources.

Particularly aimed at educational settings, the film has found its primary audiences among teachers, parents, and lawmakers. The Getting Better Foundation has partnered with the News Literacy Project to create study guides tailored for K-12 classrooms and higher education institutions, which can be accessed at TrustMeDocumentary.com.

Expert Insights and Solutions

Trust Me features interviews with leading experts in psychology and journalism, including Harvard’s Steven Pinker, Stanford’s Sam Wineburg, and Pulitzer Prize winner Jeffrey Gettleman. They discuss real-life case studies, including the rise of deep fakes, foreign interference, and the implications of social media addiction. This film doesn't merely shed light on the issues but actively presents actionable solutions for improving media literacy among viewers. A significant takeaway is the technique of lateral reading, which encourages individuals to cross-check information to verify its authenticity.

Awards and Global Reach

Upon its initial release, the documentary quickly accumulated