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.

Content

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

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Blog
How the Media Can Help Fight Truth Decay
Feb 25, 2020
"Truth Decay" is the diminishing role of facts and analysis in U.S. public life. As part of this phenomenon, Americans are losing faith in once-trusted sources of information, including the news. What could media organizations do to address this?
Report
News in a Digital Age: Comparing the Presentation of Information over Time and Across Platforms
May 14, 2019
Jennifer Kavanagh @jekavanagh, William Marcellino, et al.
In what ways has news reporting in print, on television, and online changed over the last 30 years? Overall, there has been a shift toward more-subjective reporting, but many of the changes have been subtle.
Tool
What's Being Done to Fight Disinformation Online
Nov 12, 2019
With the rise of the internet and social media, false or intentionally misleading information can spread further and faster than ever before. What tools exist to fight disinformation online?
Project
Truth Decay: Fighting for Facts and Analysis
Jan 16, 2018
RAND is studying “Truth Decay”—the diminishing reliance on facts and analysis in American public life. Truth Decay presents a threat to both evidence-based policymaking and democracy. RAND invites fellow researchers and engaged stakeholders to join our efforts to find solutions.
Multimedia
Truth Decay and the Media
May 8, 2018
In this Events @ RAND podcast, a panel of experts discusses the connection between the media and Truth Decay. They address the effects of changes in the information environment, including the rise of social media, the shift to a 24-hour news cycle, increasing partisanship of some news sources, algorithms and filters, and media literacy.