1 in 4 journalists surveyed rarely or never seek out peer-reviewed research to learn about beat topics
The results of our 2021 user survey offer insights into how journalists use academic research, why they don’t do it more often and more.
Misinformation
Research roundups, tip sheets, articles and explainers about the widespread problem of misinformation and disinformation in the media
Expert Commentary
Communicating complexity in an age of polarization: 3 tips from the UN’s Melissa Fleming
Tell stories about real people, reach for the ‘conflicted middle’ and give voice to trusted messengers: Three tips to help journalists and other public communicators relay complex information in an age of political polarization.
Expert Commentary
How to hold the line: 4 journalism survival tips from 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa
The champion of press freedom shares insights for journalists who are fighting to hold power to account amid relentless harassment and misinformation on social media.
Expert Commentary
When public officials spread health misinformation, be quick to point it out: A tip sheet
Some politicians, public officials and a handful of physicians are spreading misinformation. It’s important for journalists to debunk falsehoods high up in their stories, avoid false balance, and dig into the motives.
Expert Commentary
Trusting science leaves people vulnerable to believing pseudoscience, new research finds
Knowledge of research methods can help the public discern valid scientific claims from false or misleading ones, researchers explain.
Expert Commentary
Academic journals, journalists perpetuate misinformation in their handling of research retractions, a new study finds
Journals can take months to years to retract unreliable research. Journalists often fail to tell the public when scientific discoveries later are determined invalid or fraudulent, a new paper reveals. PLUS: 4 tips for tracking flawed research.
Expert Commentary
Why do Americans share so much fake news? One big reason is they aren’t paying attention, new research suggests
Americans who share fake news on social media might not lack media literacy skills. Chances are they don’t stop to check accuracy, a new study suggests.
Expert Commentary
Covering pro-Trump rallies and far-right groups: 4 tips from disinformation scholar Joan Donovan
There are several things she says journalists can do to minimize harm and keep rumors, lies and other forms of bad information out of their coverage. Here are four of them.
Expert Commentary
A tale of two pandemics: A nonfiction comic about historical racial health disparities
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University delved into racial health disparities during the 1918 influenza pandemic — and what history can teach us about how to approach the current pandemic.
Expert Commentary
Election Beat 2020: How news outlets become misinformation superspreaders
How could America’s news outlets, which claim to be guardians of the truth, be a prime source of untruth?
The answer lies in journalists’ routines and their need to attract an audience.
Expert Commentary