Even liberals and moderates who are more likely than conservatives to be suspicious of Fox News can be influenced by a misleading article on FoxNews.com about Arctic sea ice trends, researchers found.
Research Findings
News Sources, Political Ideology, and Media Coverage of the 2014 Walrus Haul-Out
In 2014, 35,000 walruses crowded ashore on an Alaskan beach instead of resting on ice floes. In a newly published case study, researchers studied TV news coverage of the walrus "haul-out" and people's selective exposure to it.
Pope’s Encyclical Did Not Raise Broad Public Concern Over Climate Change
Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si’,” did not rally broad public support for climate change among Catholics and non-Catholics, according to a new study from researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
Despite the Lure of Football, Study Finds Viewers Learned From Presidential Debate
A new Annenberg Public Policy Center study of the first 2016 presidential debate finds that what Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump they say about the issues – and don’t say – affects what viewers learn about their plans.
What’s Behind the Numbers on Televised Presidential Debates?
In a new white paper, "Presidential Debates: What's Behind the Numbers?" researchers from the Annenberg Public Policy Center take a close look at the data on the audience, ratings, and motivations of viewers of general-election presidential debates.
Americans’ Knowledge of the Branches of Government Is Declining
Only a quarter of Americans can name all three branches of government, the poorest showing on that question in a half-dozen years, a new survey on civic knowledge has found. The GOP presidential candidate was known to only 84 percent of the public.
Most in Florida Favor Use of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes to Fight Zika
Most Floridians favor the use of genetically modified mosquitoes to fight the spread of Zika virus and are significantly more likely to approve of it than people who live outside Florida, the Annenberg Science Knowledge survey has found.
More Floridians Taking Precautions Against Zika Than Others in U.S.
Floridians see themselves at greater risk of being infected with Zika compared with other people nationally, and more Floridians than non-Florida residents have takening steps to protect themselves, an APPC survey finds.
How the Media Can Better Inform the Public About Zika
Many Americans hold mistaken beliefs about Zika virus. To help provide the public with accurate information, the policy center has released a free "A Guide to Effective Zika Coverage" for writers, editors, reporters and broadcasters.
Will Consumers Use QR Codes to Learn About Genetically Modified Food?
A new mandatory food-labeling law allows food producers to use digital codes to inform consumers that food contains genetically modified (GM) ingredients. But will consumers use smartphones or in-store readers to scan those QR codes?