Misinformation

Research roundups, tip sheets, articles and explainers about the widespread problem of misinformation and disinformation in the media

Expert Commentary

Media, Politics & Government

Misinformation and its correction: Continued influence and successful debiasing

by Margaret Weigel | January 16, 2013

2012 metastudy in Psychological Science in the Public Interest on how misinformation originates and spreads and why it is difficult to correct.

Expert Commentary

Media, Politics & Government

Misinformation and fact-checking: Research findings from social science

by John Wihbey | March 1, 2012

2012 New America Foundation report on cognitive and psychological phenomena that make the task of journalistic corrections difficult.

Economics, Politics & Government

The national debt: How and why the US government borrows money

June 25, 2025

The US government is paying $1 trillion a year in interest on its debt. With interest costs outpacing national defense spending, this piece will help journalists understand the public debt and explain it to audiences.

Economics, Health, Politics & Government

As Congress considers cuts to SNAP, we address 8 questions about this US federal nutrition program

May 30, 2025

Here’s important background info and research to bolster news coverage of potential reductions in federal spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Health, Politics & Government

ICE and hospitals: What does the removal of the ‘protected areas’ policy mean for hospitals?

May 21, 2025

Medical and legal experts have issued detailed guidelines on responding to the removal of a policy that protected health care facilities from immigration enforcement activities. The information helps journalists to report on their local hospitals and empower patients to know their rights.