A surprisingly effective way to fight misinformation

Journalist and humorist Dave Jorgenson spearheaded the Washington Post’s TikTok initiative in 2019 to engage younger audiences, which evolved into a number of products and platforms. Here, he discusses the evolution of misinformation.

TED Talks

What if the best defense against misinformation isn’t panic, but a punchline? Journalist and comedian Dave Jorgenson explores how misinformation has proliferated throughout history — from the age of Plato to the era of viral TikToks. With his own short, absurdist sketches that explain the news, he shows how humor can cut through fear, spark curiosity and explore nuanced truth.

Jorgenson launched the Washington Post TikTok channel in 2019, which eventually evolved into the 'Washington Post Universe' on TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. In 2025, he launched his own channel on YouTube called 'Local News International,' where he posts weekly long-form videos on the channel in partnership with WP Ventures.

WATCH THE DAVE JORGENSON PRESENTATION IN ITS ENTIRETY

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