News, Truth, and Democracy

4.0 credits

This course examines the role of journalism in a democratic society. We will consider why a free press matters to democracy, how different conceptions of democracy imply different roles for journalists, and how journalism can contribute to public deliberation. We will also explore central ethical and epistemic questions about journalism: What should journalists do when politicians lie, experts disagree, or the truth is uncertain? When should journalists withhold information rather than publish it? And how do fake news, misinformation, and social media affect journalism’s ability to inform the public?