How Media Stifles Deliberative Democracy
As outlets that welcome rational exchanges of ideas dwindle those that serve as echo chambers are exploding. What does that mean for free speech and the health of the US?
What Makes Us Vote the Way We Do?
According to some political scientists, it's more about group identity than personal interests.
Is There a Cure for Information Disorder?
Researchers are concerned not only with our exposure to mis- and disinformation but with the depth of confidence people have in their inaccurate beliefs.
What Are Executive Orders Anyway?
Donald Trump's executive orders are coming fast and furious, but what exactly are they? And why are they the Presidential go-to tactic now?
When Did the Media Become a “Watchdog?”
The media changed its coverage over the course of the Vietnam War. But it may not have become more adversarial.
Does Street Protest Matter?
Americans have turned to street protests to achieve their political goals—while critics have warned that this kind of public action won’t change anything.
A Little Political Knowledge Is…Much Better Than Nothing
Studies show that viewers do gain political knowledge through daytime television and other forms of "soft news."
How Televising Presidential Debates Changed Everything
Ever since Kennedy-Nixon, televised debates have given viewers an insight into candidates' policies—and their personalities, too.
Ballot Position: It Matters
Did you know that ballot position can have an effect on voting? The first-listed candidate is more likely to be voted for.
The Internet’s Baby Pictures, 25 Years After the Birth of the Web
Tim Berners-Lee set up HTML (hypertext markup language) and HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) twenty-five years ago today.