In an era where our smartphones are glued to our palms and social media feeds are never-ending rivers of content, it is easy to forget that we are constantly being shaped by what we consume. Erik Johnson, a professor of Stage and Screen Arts at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, wants us to stop and ask ourselves a simple, yet profound question: Who is steering the ship? As we scroll through headlines, viral videos, and emotional appeals, he urges us to consider whether the digital reality we inhabit is actually rooted in truth or meticulously crafted to deceive. Media literacy…

The investigative documentary Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret, which premiered today on BBC iPlayer, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, bringing long-simmering rumors about the award-winning actor into the harsh light of public scrutiny. The project centers on the accounts of four women who have come forward with harrowing personal testimonies, alleging various forms of criminal sexual misconduct involving the star. These accounts include accusations ranging from sexual assault in a motel bathroom when a victim was just 17, to claims of threats and targeted grooming that allegedly began when another victim was only 16. Perhaps most legally significant…