Media Reform / Public News Service

The Indiana Citizen launched its virtual ballot in 2020. The tool has become more robust during the last four years. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, October 11, 2024

Hoosier voters gain access to nonpartisan election information tool

The Indiana Citizen, a nonpartisan voter information platform, aims to improve civic engagement in Indiana by helping voters make informed choices…

Data suggest that, contrary to popular belief, rural and urban voters in America share many bedrock values. (Matt/Adobe Stock)

Friday, October 11, 2024

Ohio voters have more in common than you might think

As Ohio heads into a pivotal election season, the divide between rural and urban voters might seem deep - but one expert says the gap isn't as wide …

Some 36,000 Arkansas Medicare beneficiaries used insulin in 2020. (motortion/Adobe Stock)

AR seniors to benefit from Medicare prescription drug cap

Arkansans who are on Medicare will see big savings next year thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. The Act will cap prescription drug costs…

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine compares the situation in Springfield to a natural disaster, suggesting the federal government provide assistance to help communities handle large surges in migrant populations. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio leaders clash over migrant influx, persistent rumors

Tensions are rising in Springfield, Ohio, as controversial claims from Sen. J.D. Vance about migrants in the area have garnered national attention…

Political observers note artificial intelligence can be an inexpensive way to help candidates save time and money on advertising but many down-ballot campaigns lack the expertise to spot AI-generated falsehoods, which could tip races decided by narrow margins. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Federal lawmakers tackle AI-generated ‘deepfakes’ as election nears

Newly introduced federal legislation aims to protect voters from the growing threat of political ads generated by artificial intelligence. …

A group of pornography website operators is suing Indiana over a new law mandating stricter age verification for adult content sites. (Adobe stock)

New Indiana law: Protection for minors or privacy invasion?

A controversial new law is set to take effect next week, requiring Hoosiers to upload sensitive documents, including driver's licenses and Social …

Voting by people who are not U.S. citizens already is illegal in federal elections, and there is no indication it's happening anywhere in significant numbers. (Adobe Stock)

Groups debunk claims of 'skyrocketing' numbers of non-citizen voters

After a recent flurry of claims that Democrats are allowing immigrants into the country illegally in order to register them to vote in the upcoming U.…

More than 80% of 65-to-69-year-olds are internet users, and two-thirds say they have broadband internet connections at home, according to data from The Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY to use $12M to boost internet access in underserved communities

Kentucky is set to spend $12 million over the next three years to boost internet access in communities across the state. The funding will go toward …

As of March, Tennessee still had about 23% of its federal education funding from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief program, which could be used to help boost achievement. The deadline to allocate the funding is Sept. 30. (Adobe Stock)

Kids Count Data Book shows some improvement for TN children

Tennessee ranks in the middle among states for the well-being of its children, at 36th overall in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

This provision was added to an omnibus bill (SB 103) late in the 2023 session, and was introduced by state Rep. Justin Hicks, R-Lake St. Louis. (Grenar/Adobe Stock)

Journalists, advocates challenge Missouri's new redaction rules

The Missouri Broadcasters Association is among the parties filing a lawsuit, claiming a state law that requires extensive redactions in court …

More than half of parents feel social media is affecting their children's development, from body image to self-perception, according to a recent CVS Health survey. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: 70% of parents report concern over child’s mental health

Across the nation, 70% of parents say they're now more concerned about their child's mental health than physical health, according to a new survey by …

Parents of young people harmed by social media platforms are urging Congress to pass the

Parents press for online child safety reforms amid Congressional reform

Massachusetts parents of children harmed by social media platforms are calling on Congress to advance the bipartisan "Kids Online Safety Act." The bi…

In the mid-1990s, news media from around the world descended upon Los Angeles for wall-to-wall coverage of the O.J. Simpson murder trial. (Adobe Stock)

Measuring long-term impact of Simpson trial on media literacy

O.J. Simpson's death has the nation looking back on the infamous murder trial that resulted in his acquittal. Experts say one of the lasting impacts …

Research showed between 10% and 30% of county residents in the state of New York had a dual-use special-need plan in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

NY senior advocates see advantages to dual-use special needs plans

Senior and older adult advocates in New York find certain healthcare plans are helping people get the best bang for their buck. Dual-eligible …

The FCC's rule would give state attorneys general across the country new tools to go after bad actors behind these nefarious robocalls. (Adobe Stock)

AZ could lead way in AI-related legislation

Arizona lawmakers are hoping to make it easier for politicians to take legal action as the use of deepfakes increases during election campaigns…

A 2023 study found that more than 80% of Americans assume that the health data collected by apps is covered by HIPAA, even though it isn't. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ has no data privacy law, expert says its time to take action

Arizona is among states that have considered passing consumer privacy laws but have yet to do so. While the state doesn't have anything on the books…

Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, enacted as part of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, provides limited federal immunity to providers and users of interactive computer services. (Aleksei/Adobe Stock)

Social media CEOs apologize to victim families for harm experienced online

A contentious congressional hearing on Wednesday saw a unanimous push for regulations on social media specifically related to children. U.S. Sen…

The two most common methods of suicide by Black youth are by firearm and suffocation, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (Adobe Stock)

Research confirms social media's deadly effects on youth of color

Social media platforms are used by practically everyone, but most widely by teens. One study pinpoints a link between online racism and higher rates …

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers its Soul Shop for Black Churches program to help faith leaders minister to congregants who may be struggling or who have been affected by suicide. (Adobe Stock)

Research shows harmful social media content impacts Black youths

Social media platforms are used by practically everyone but most widely by teens. One study pinpoints a link between online racism and higher rates …

AI's impact on elections is expected to grow this year. (VideoFlow/Adobe Stock)

AI could undermine trust ahead of 2024 election

The rise of artificial intelligence is raising alarm bells for election officials in Oregon and across the country. Before the New Hampshire …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data tracker in the most recent week this month, more than 32,000 people have been hospitalized for COVID-19. (Cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

Health misinformation vs. science: Can you tell the difference?

In Arkansas and across the country, public health experts say the rapid spread of health misinformation online is contributing to a dangerous decline …

People are more likely to believe misinformation that paints opponents in a negative light than they are to believe misinformation that is negative about their own in-group, according to the American Psychological Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Expert explains how 'weaponization' of social media threatens democracy

The use of social media to organize the January 6th insurrection marked a turning point in American political protest, according to a scholar on …

The Jan. 6 Committee's final report revealed members of the Oath Keepers and other Trump allies stockpiled weapons near Washington, D.C., as they waited for the former president to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy the military for domestic law enforcement. (spidey888/Adobe Stock)<br />

Democracy challenged by social media 'networked incitement'

The use of social media to organize the Jan. 6 insurrection marked a turning point in American political protest, according to a leading media and …

Social media's 'networked incitement' the latest challenge to democracy

The use of social media to organize the Jan. 6 insurrection marked a turning point in American political protest, according to a leading media and …

If the new defamation bill becomes law, it is unlikely to survive a legal challenge due to what critics say are its clear violations of free speech and anti-discrimination laws. (Pixabay)

FL lawmakers back in Tallahassee to debate limits on abortion, free speech

Within hours of the start of Florida's legislative session, newly filed bills are set to test the limits on hot-button topics such as abortion and …

Studies show the development and dissemination of vaccines have saved millions of lives and played a critical role in historic increases in average life expectancy - from 47 years in 1900 in the U.S. to 76 years in 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Vaccination rates decline as health misinformation spreads online

Public health experts say the rapid spread of health misinformation online is contributing to a dangerous decline in vaccination rates. Surveys …

By 2022, 32% of bills that passed the Kentucky House and 24% that passed the Senate were fast-tracked in ways that cut out the public, according to a new League of Women Voters of Kentucky report. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: KY lawmakers increasingly fast-track bills, reducing transparency

Kentucky lawmakers convene this week for the 2024 legislative session, and a new report finds state representatives are increasingly fast-tracking …

AZ election official tests artificial intelligence ahead of 2024 election

The Grand Canyon State's top election official is testing open-access artificial-intelligence tools in preparation for a potential wave of disinformat…

According to the National Association of Broadcasters, 82 million Americans depend on AM radio each month for news, entertainment and safety. (thexfilephoto/Adobe Stock)

Requiring AM radio in vehicles benefits rural Nebraskans

The passage of a bipartisan, bicameral bill in the U.S. Congress would be very beneficial to people in rural parts of Nebraska. It could also make …

According to the State of Local News report from Northwestern University, today there are only about 550 local or state digital news sites in the entire country, and fewer than 1,000 active local minority or ethnic news outlets - the vast majority of which are located in major cities or state capitals. (Adobe Stock)

Alabamians struggle with limited local news access in rural communities

Alabama's local news landscape is experiencing a severe divide, leaving rural communities at a significant disadvantage. The latest State of Local …

Since 2005, research shows the number of journalists employed by newspapers has declined by 60%, a loss of 43,000 reporters and editors. (junce11/AdobeStock)

Study: Shuttered small-town newspapers sink community vitality

Three million residents in more than 200 U.S. counties don't have access to a single local news source, according to a new study. In New Mexico…

A 2022 Pew Research survey found 61% of U.S. adults trust national news, 71% trust local news, and 33% trust news on social media. Among those ages 18-29, however, 50% said they trust news on social media sites. (Scanrail/Adobe Stock)

Report: NE lost 7% of its local weekly newspapers in 2023

A new report says some Nebraska communities have lost a major source of local news this year. The "State of Local News" report evaluates the …

A decline in local news is often correlated with the decline in voter participation, according to research by Northwestern University. (V.J. Matthew/Adobe Stock)

Study: Rural vibrancy diminishes with death of local newspapers

The media landscape has dramatically changed in the past 20 years, evidenced by a new study that shows three million residents in more than 200 …

According to a project led by Northwestern University, the U.S. has lost almost 2,900 newspapers since 2005. All but about 100 were weeklies, which are often the sole provider of local news in small and midsized communities. (Adobe Stock)

For rural states like ND, local news access no longer a guarantee

There are some bright spots in beefing up local news coverage, but a new report says in North Dakota and elsewhere, there are still big concerns …

Report: Local news harder to come by in rural states

There are some bright spots in beefing up local news coverage, but a new report says in South Dakota and elsewhere, there are still big concerns …

Democrats' trust in the media has fallen 12 points over the past year, to 58%, and compares with 11% among Republicans and 29% among independents, according to Gallup. (Christian Schwier/Adobe Stock)

Southern Arizona local news initiative announced

A new project in Southern Arizona aims to support local reporting and enable greater access to local news and information. Earlier this month…

Indiana is 23rd among states in annual rankings of internet coverage, speed and availability on the website BroadbandNow. This means roughly one in 10 residents is unable to purchase an internet plan with speeds of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. (Adobe Stock)

Purdue team pitches in to improve IN internet connectivity

Indiana's share of federal money to boost broadband access in underserved areas in the state is almost $870 million. The funding - through the …

A new report looks at best practices in artificial intelligence, which is used for myriad applications, including facial-recognition programs. (Angelov/Adobe Stock)

'Big Tech' firms unite to establish ethical standards for AI

Artificial intelligence is growing fast, and such companies as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Verizon are on the list of those who have come together …

Media experts say to avoid being duped by disinformation, double and even triple check the source of a story, and then try to find this information elsewhere in other reputable places, like mainstream news outlets. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Tech Companies Scale Back Efforts to Control Election Disinformation

Introduced federal legislation aims to counter the growing threat of election disinformation as social media platforms scale back efforts to control i…

More than 136 million people in the United States are TikTok users, and more than half are women. (Adobe Stock)

Montana ACLU Files Legal Support Opposing TikTok Ban

The ACLU of Montana is supporting a lawsuit to overturn a ban on the social media platform TikTok. Montana lawmakers passed a bill fining app …

Effort Grows to Prevent 'Deepfakes' in NH Campaign Ads

As the 2024 presidential hopefuls ramp up their campaigns in New Hampshire, federal officials are considering new rules on so-called "deepfakes" in …

According to the Expanding News Desert project, in the 15 years leading up to 2020, more than one-fourth of the country's newspapers disappeared. (Adobe Stock)

Staying Informed Becomes Harder for North Dakotans

This month, North Dakota has become the latest state to be swept up in the declining presence of local news media. One expert sees it as a concerning …

Rather than focusing on their differences, University of Minnesota Extension educators say people from urban and rural areas should bridge community networks to help address the common challenges these geographic areas face. (Adobe Stock)

What Urban-Rural Divide? Experts Say It's More Like an 'Interdependency'

Political tension in the United States has fueled narratives that urban and rural areas are sharply divided. But what if it's more of a myth? The …

People with mental health-related challenges are far more likely to be victims rather than perpetrators of violence, according to the Coalition for Smart Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Advocates Reject Blame for Gun Violence Epidemic

Mental health experts say people with psychiatric diagnoses are being unfairly scapegoated for the gun violence epidemic in Maine and across America…

According to U.S. Census data, 30% of all New Yorkers speak a primary language other than English at home. (Adobe Stock)

NY Bill Aims to Grow Outreach via Community Media

New York lawmakers are considering a bill to broaden statewide outreach through local media. The Local Community and Ethnic Media Commitment Act …

Older Adults Technology Services reported an estimated 21.8 million American seniors did not have broadband internet access in 2022. (huang/Adobe Stock)

California Hopes to Lessen 'Digital Divide'

The state of California wants to help close the digital divide across the state - in part, by learning more about how older adults make use of …

The state of Georgia hosted 412 productions, represented by 32 feature films, 36 independent films, 269 television and episodic productions, 42 commercials and 33 music videos between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Writers’ Strike Could Affect GA Economy, Jobs

Thousands of writers are currently on strike following a breakdown in negotiations with the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Pictur…

Award-winning journalist Molly Ivins worked at the Texas Observer in the 1970s, calling it a

The Texas Observer Lives to See Another Print Run

The Texas Observer, a nonprofit news organization known for its liberal, independent reporting and cultural criticism, will continue publishing…

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