Fact-checking may be American journalism’s most influential export. What began in the United States in the early 2000s has now spread to more than 50 counties. Some 113 independent fact-checkers operate today. While accuracy is a foundational element of modern journalism, the fact-checking movement focuses almost solely on evaluating the veracity of newsworthy claims … [Read more...] about Checking on the facts
Viewers ‘second screen’ debates
The presidential primary debates have been big business this election cycle. Viewership records have been set for Fox News (24 million viewers), CNN (23 million), CNBC (14 million) and Fox Business (13.5 million), destroying old marks across the board. Viewers also have begun live-tweeting the broadcasts in record numbers, a practice sometimes called second screening. This … [Read more...] about Viewers ‘second screen’ debates
Will human nature drag down science journalism?
Jesse Singal is a senior editor at New York Magazine, where he runs The Science of Us, a website about the science of human behavior. He wrote a series of articles about the Michael LaCour scandal as it unfolded. A former science writer, Sharon Dunwoody is Evjue-Bascom Professor Emerita in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of … [Read more...] about Will human nature drag down science journalism?
Media surge to cover Trump’s media surge
The media have turned their attention to Donald Trump in recent weeks, and now columnists are in turn opining on Trump coverage itself. On the Washington Post’s Monkey Cage blog, political scientist John Sides wrote in his article “Why is Trump surging? Blame the media,” that “the answer is simple: Trump is surging in the polls because the news media has consistently focused … [Read more...] about Media surge to cover Trump’s media surge
Hollywood shines its spotlight on journalism
There’s a long history of journalists on the silver screen, from classics “Citizen Kane,” and “All the King’s Men,” to satires such as “Network,” to broader comedies such as “Groundhog Day,” and “Bruce Almighty.” Rarer are depictions of newshounds as neither heroes nor empty suits. In the past year, three films have offered takes on the profession that alternately recreate … [Read more...] about Hollywood shines its spotlight on journalism