News overload: Are citizens informed or overwhelmed?

Bob Schieffer, legendary television journalist and former host of “Face the Nation” on CBS, and Tulane University alumnus H. Andrew Schwartz, chief communications officer at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, will be on the uptown campus Wednesday, Nov. 8, to discuss their new book, Overload: Finding the Truth in Today's Deluge of News.

The book explores the intricacies of modern political journalism — from the explosion of fake news to the challenges of the 24-hour news cycle. Schieffer and Schwartz will examine the changing role of media and whether today’s citizens are more informed or just overwhelmed.

“Andrew Schwartz is one of our most distinguished alumni and is proof that a Tulane degree can carry one quite far, in his case in the areas of both politics and journalism,” said event moderator and Tulane political science professor Brian Brox. “Bob Schieffer is an institution in American political journalism.  His thoughts on the changes in the media landscape over his five decades in the news, as well as his opinion on the current state of news and politics, will provide an important perspective to our students who are just beginning their engagement with America’s political system.”

Schieffer is a member of the Broadcasting Hall of Fame, and was named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress. His other books include This Just In: What I Couldn’t Tell You on TV (2003), Face the Nation: My Favorite Stories From the First 50 Years of the Award-Winning News Broadcast (2004), and Bob Schieffer’s America (2009).

Schwartz, a 1990 graduate of the former College of Arts and Sciences (now the School of Liberal Arts), currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the School of Liberal Arts. He previously served as White House producer at Fox News and is currently the co-host of a weekly podcast called About the News alongside Schieffer. Schwartz is also author of The Evening newsletter, a daily roundup of international affairs.

The event begins at 6 p.m. in Rogers Memorial Chapel and is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.