New research in Science Advances suggests journalists don’t prefer simple headlines to complex ones, but readers do — and even if a story is complicated, reporters and editors may be able to boost readership with easy-to-read headlines.
Expert Commentary
Has the death of truth been greatly exaggerated? New research suggests people in the U.S. are, overall, good at identifying true political news headlines from fake ones — but there are some stark socioeconomic differences. PLUS, 3 tips for covering political misinformation online.
Expert Commentary
Study finds prosecutions for corruption rise after a nonprofit news outlet is established within a judicial district. Prosecutions are also more likely in districts where those outlets enjoy greater philanthropic funding.
Expert Commentary
Research explores the relationship between Fox News viewership and criminal sentencing, with defendants in drug-related cases especially likely to face longer prison terms in places where the network is popular.
Expert Commentary
Two new studies offer business journalists food for thought on the importance of trusted messengers in reporting on monetary policy.
Expert Commentary
Just before thousands of people in hundreds of U.S. cities rose up demanding racial justice and denouncing police violence, an investigative reporting team revealed that federal courts have been increasingly likely to shield police from civil lawsuits.
Expert Commentary
We spotlight seven research studies published in 2019 that examine fake news from multiple angles, including what makes fact-checking most effective.
Expert Commentary
How has agenda-setting influenced public perceptions of tobacco control and, more recently, vaping?
Expert Commentary
In this short Q&A, media scholar Siva Vaidhyanathan talks about how Facebook has changed journalism and how reporters can do a better job covering Facebook and its influence.
Expert Commentary
Local TV news focuses more on national politics and slants more to the right at present than in recent years, new research finds.
Expert Commentary