Exploring "Truth Decay"

January 17, 2018

Over the past two decades, the role of facts and analysis in American public life has been diminishing, posing a threat to democracy and policymaking. With donor support, RAND president and CEO Michael Rich initiated a project with RAND political scientist Jennifer Kavanagh to investigate the phenomenon of "Truth Decay."

In this Call with the Experts, Rich and Kavanagh discuss the causes and consequences of Truth Decay and how they compare with previous eras in U.S. history. They also outline a research agenda to help determine what can be done to combat Truth Decay in the future. Media relations director Jeffrey Hiday moderates the call.