The Robert H. McGaughey Lecture welcomed Don Gonyea, national political correspondent for NPR, to Lovett Auditorium at Murray State University on Wednesday, Oct. 23. During his talk, Gonyea discussed the importance of press freedom and the responsibilities that come with it.
He addressed the ongoing discussion surrounding freedom of speech as a central element of democracy and noted the challenges of maintaining open dialogue in a time influenced by social and political pressures.
“Freedom of the press isn’t just a privilege — it’s a responsibility,” Gonyea said. “Our job is to make sure the public gets accurate, fair and complete information, even when it’s difficult to do so.”
Gonyea also spoke about the growing impact of misinformation, biased reporting and false content generated through artificial intelligence. Throughout his lecture, he highlighted the role of journalists in informing the public and contributing to the exchange of ideas that shape society, noting that journalism continues to serve an essential function in providing accurate information and supporting the public’s right to know.
Gonyea first joined NPR in 1986, covering labor unions, the automobile industry and local issues in his home state of Michigan. Over the course of his career, he has received numerous honors, including contributing to NPR’s 2000 Peabody Award. In addition to reporting, he occasionally hosts NPR news programs, contributes to other media outlets and teaches journalism. A native of Monroe, Michigan, Gonyea is an honors graduate of Michigan State University.
Since 2010, Gonyea has served as NPR’s national political correspondent, known for his in-depth, on-the-ground reporting from across the United States during election seasons. He began covering politics full-time for NPR during the 2000 presidential campaign and later served as White House correspondent throughout George W. Bush’s presidency, reporting live on major events including the aftermath of Sept. 11.
The event was presented as part of the Robert H. McGaughey Fund for Excellence in Journalism and Mass Communication, established in 2020 through a bequest from the late McGaughey. The fund supports programs that promote quality journalism education at Murray State and honor McGaughey’s lifelong commitment to ethical, responsible reporting.
In his remarks, Gonyea addressed the evolving role of journalists in an age of misinformation and digital noise, underscoring the press’s duty to inform the public accurately and fairly. He also raised a question about the changing definition of media: “What is the media? Is it the people who own Substack? Is it everyone who has a social media handle?”
Gonyea said the definition of journalism has become less distinct in recent years. He explained that with the rise of independent online platforms and user-generated content, almost anyone can share information — or misinformation — with a wide audience. He added that this shift challenges traditional journalists to work even harder to maintain credibility and public trust.
“Young readers must apply a certain level of critical thinking and sometimes even inject their own biases to avoid propaganda,” Gonyea said.
He also noted that journalists today face growing distrust and hostility, often being labeled as the “enemy of the people.” Despite these challenges, he said the influx of young readers and writers entering the field will be crucial in restoring faith in the press.
“We need journalists,” he said. “We need people and news organizations committed to telling the truth to the people.”
In an era defined by both abundant information and widespread misinformation, Gonyea spoke about the responsibility journalists have to verify facts and provide accurate reporting. He noted that even as technology and media platforms continue to evolve, the fundamental purpose of journalism remains the same: to inform the public, ask questions and report the truth.
