4.21
Louisa Shepard
News Officer
lshepard@upenn.edu
Communications
A link between gun violence on TV and firearm deaths
A link between gun violence on TV and firearm deaths
Research from Annenberg Public Policy Center’s Daniel Romer and Patrick E. Jamieson found that gun use on television doubled from 2000 to 2018, rising in parallel with the proportion of homicides from firearms in the U.S. during the same period.
Toward a better understanding of ‘fake news’
Toward a better understanding of ‘fake news’
PIK Professor Duncan Watts publishes a framework for developing a comprehensive research agenda to study the origins, nature, and consequences of misinformation on democracy.
Penn and USC launch Annenberg Center for Collaborative Communication
Penn and USC launch Annenberg Center for Collaborative Communication
The new center will enable faculty and doctoral students to work across institutions and disciplines to reimagine communication around complex issues like health care, data privacy, politics, new media, and journalistic trust and integrity.
Narratives of COVID-19 in China and the world
Narratives of COVID-19 in China and the world
The two-day symposium brought together scholars to discuss a broad range of topics, from racism against Chinese students studying in the United States to digital workplace surveillance of Chinese workers.
Twitter bots may not be as influential as you think
Twitter bots may not be as influential as you think
A new study from Annenberg School for Communication finds that verified media accounts are more central in the spread of information on Twitter than bots.
Florence Madenga’s specialty weds journalism, censorship, and internet shutdowns in Africa
Florence Madenga’s specialty weds journalism, censorship, and internet shutdowns in Africa
The doctoral student at the Annenberg School for Communication is investigating how satire journalism and humor news are less likely to be censored by the state in her home country of Zimbabwe.
A conversation with Stacey Abrams
A conversation with Stacey Abrams
The Georgia politician sat down with Ben Jealous, visiting scholar and former NAACP leader, to discuss topics from gerrymandering to romance novels in a virtual discussion.
Annenberg researchers use data science skills for social justice
Annenberg researchers use data science skills for social justice
Data scientists at the Annenberg School for Communication are working with the Amistad Law Project to create an open access dashboard of data that can aid efforts to help the incarcerated communiy.
When the message matters, use science to craft it
When the message matters, use science to craft it
An interdisciplinary initiative called the Message Effects Lab aims to understand, tap into, and develop communication around what motivates specific behaviors for specific populations. Its first projects center around COVID-19 testing and vaccines.
Dissecting chaos: An interdisciplinary look at the attack on the U.S. Capitol
Dissecting chaos: An interdisciplinary look at the attack on the U.S. Capitol
Faculty from five schools at the University took part in a virtual panel discussion to unpack the policies, messages, and conditions that led to the events of Jan. 6.
Media Contact
In the News
Associated Press
Amid growing challenges, Biden to hold 1st news conference
Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center spoke about President Biden’s upcoming press conference. “The press conference serves an important purpose: It presents the press an extended opportunity to hold a leader accountable for decisions,” she said.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Two Pa. prisons have vaccinated more than 70% of inmates. An incentive program may be making a difference
Jessica Fishman of the Annenberg School for Communication is researching how incentives compare to other vaccine promotion methods. “I think it’s worth testing since we don’t have evidence that speaks directly to the policy debate, where some are quite adamant that it would absolutely backfire and increase fears of vaccination,” she said.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Vaccines already brought good news. Better messaging can bring more
Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center co-authored an op-ed about how ambassadorship and other forms of public health messaging can alleviate vaccine hesitancy.
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Politico.com
Our era’s defining battle: Facts vs. misinformation
Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center was interviewed about fact-checking in journalism, which has increased in response to rampant misinformation online. “It is not advisable to negate something; it’s advisable to displace something,” she said. “A detailed alternative account of the reality has a power that simply saying ‘that’s wrong’ or ‘no, that’s not true’ doesn’t.”
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Minneapolis Star Tribune
6 strategies for cooling it down on social media
Damon Centola of the Annenberg School for Communication shared his findings on how to improve communication between individuals with polarized political viewpoints.
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The Washington Post
On conservative talk radio, efforts to tone down inflammatory rhetoric appear limited
Brian Rosenwald of the School of Arts & Sciences weighed in on how conservative talk radio hosts will address the incoming Biden administration. “A Democratic administration equals a new boogeymen to focus on,” said Rosenwald. “You might have offhand references or conversation about Biden being an illegitimate president, but the focus won’t be on the ‘stolen election’ unless and until there is fresh news on the topic.”
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