Jen Psaki Discusses Media and Diplomacy at UNC
The former White House press secretary shared insights on government communication and responding to disinformation.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in International Relations
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Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki visited the University of North Carolina on October 19 to discuss her career and the challenges of government communications. She highlighted the persistent difficulty of rebuilding lost expertise within federal agencies.
Why it matters
Psaki addressed the mechanics of maintaining transparency and responding to international disinformation campaigns, drawing from her extensive experience in the Obama and Biden administrations.
Psaki served as U.S. Department of State spokesperson from 2013 to 2015, a period that included the 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Her tenure included managing daily briefings and countering disinformation campaigns targeting her office.
The players
Jen Psaki
She is the former White House press secretary who held various communication roles across the Obama and Biden administrations.
University of North Carolina
This is a public research university located in Chapel Hill that serves as a venue for academic and political discourse.
The details
Psaki described her process for handling daily briefings, which involved consistent preparation through headline analysis and frequent coordination with administration officials. She specifically noted her experience becoming a focus of Russian propaganda efforts following the 2014 invasion of Ukraine and discussed the importance of calling out disinformation directly.
Timeline
2013-2015: Psaki served as U.S. Department of State spokesperson.
2014: Russia invaded Ukraine.
October 19, 2026: Psaki spoke at UNC.
Political Context
Opponents often criticize the use of government media channels as politicized, arguing that press secretaries prioritize partisan messaging over objective transparency. This perspective creates ongoing friction between administration officials and the press corps when addressing public disinformation.
Chapel Hill residents and students gain direct insight into the internal pressures faced by federal spokespeople when navigating global crises. Understanding these communication tactics helps the public better evaluate how government agencies distribute information during international conflicts.
The takeaway
Psaki emphasized that government expertise is a finite resource that requires significant time and effort to restore. Her appearance encourages a more critical examination of how information is processed and defended within the executive branch.
Further reading
For more background on the complexities of modern diplomacy, visit the International Relations section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Tar Heel.
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