Communications | Penn Today

New research explores how conservative media misinformation may have intensified the severity of the pandemic

A study co-led by Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that Americans who relied on conservative news sources were more likely to believe conspiracy theories or unfounded rumors about the coronavirus than those who consumed more mainstream media.

A black, six-lens camera in the foreground, with actors blurred in the background.

Better care for COVID patients through virtual reality

An interdisciplinary team from Penn joined efforts with physicians in New York to fast-track virtual reality coronavirus training materials.

Who’s a bot? Who’s not?

Sarah Jackson of the Annenberg School for Communication said it’s important to focus on where bots exist within social networks as well as with whom they actually interact. “Even if there are a lot of bots in a network, it is misleading to suggest they are leading the conversation or influencing real people who are tweeting in those same networks,” she said.

A doctor gives a baby a vaccine while the child’s parent holds them.

Meeting the challenge of vaccination hesitancy

Annenberg School for Communication professor Damon Centola explores root causes of vaccine hesitancy and actionable steps to address it.

Celebrities are rushing to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Some might actually make an impact

Sarah J. Jackson of the Annenberg School for Communication spoke about the relationship between celebrity and political activism. “Organizers are savvy enough to know they need to get the attention of celebrities and get the attention celebrities can bring them,” she said.

Person wearing face mask and latex gloves stands in an empty subway car holding a newspaper.

Local news volume does not increase pro-social behaviors during COVID-19

Previous research found people were more likely to engage in civic behaviors—like voting, recycling, or wearing a face covering—when their local newspaper includes coverage of these activities. New research finds that may not be as relevant anymore.

Trump’s deranged antifa tweet and OANN are the result of failed media policy

Victor Pickard of the Annenberg School for Communication said the rise of news networks like OANN stems from failed U.S. media policies. “We are typically at the mercy of unregulated, profit-driven media firms with only weak public alternatives,” he said. “Most of the public interest protections we once had—such as the fairness doctrine—are long gone.”

Chris Satullo, Lia Howard, and Surayya Walters in class.

Cultivating robust civil dialogue during times of unrest

Through the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Program, Penn students are learning how to reflect on and engage with subjects like the coronavirus pandemic and the criminal justice system.

Race, protest and media coverage

Sarah Jackson of the Annenberg School for Communication joined a discussion about media coverage of the George Floyd protests and the history of Black activism.

Peaceful protesters lament violence at George Floyd demonstrations, but understand the rage behind it

Barbie Zelizer of the Annenberg School for Communication said media outlets struggled to cover political demonstrations fairly. "The media love spectacles," she said. "And violence is spectacle."

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