How the Media Can Help Fight Truth Decay

Truth Decay is the diminishing role of facts and analysis in American public life. As part of this phenomenon, Americans are losing faith in once-trusted sources of information, including the news. How might media organizations address this?

RAND leaders and media experts discussed this topic at a “Truth Decay and the Media” panel on February 20, 2020, at RAND's Santa Monica headquarters. Panelists included Michael D. Rich, RAND's president and chief executive officer; Jennifer Kavanagh, leader of RAND's Countering Truth Decay initiative; Wendy McMahon, president of ABC Owned Television Stations; and Norman Pearlstine, executive editor of the Los Angeles Times. Willow Bay, dean of USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, moderated.

Featured Speakers

Willow Bay

Dean, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Michael D. Rich

President and Chief Executive Officer, RAND Corporation

Wendy McMahon

President, ABC Owned Television Stations

Norman Pearlstine

Executive Editor, Los Angeles Times

Jennifer Kavanagh

Political Scientist, RAND Corporation; Associate Director, Strategy, Doctrine, and Resources Program, RAND Arroyo Center; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School