Coronavirus and Truth Decay

With the onset of COVID-19, Americans are seeking information that affects their everyday lives, from physical and social distancing mandates to regional efforts to reopen state or municipal economies. Where do Americans get their news? What news sources do they view as reliable? What's the role of facts or disinformation as federal, state and local government officials legislate new public policies and programs?

"Truth Decay," the diminishing role of facts and analysis, is being studied by RAND, a nonprofit, nonpartisan global policy research institution based in Santa Monica. Join us for a webinar discussion on Truth Decay—is it a threat to evidence-based policymaking and America's democracy? Has social media blurred the lines between facts and opinions?

Joining us for this webinar are:

Moderator

• Moderator is Pete Peterson, Dean, Pepperdine School of Public Policy

Speakers

• Michael D. Rich, President & CEO, RAND Corporation
• Jennifer Kavanagh, Senior Political Scientist, RAND Corporation, and lead author of a RAND report on "Truth Decay"

• Donie O'Sullivan, Reporter, CNN

• Steven Greenhut, Western Region Director, R Street Institute