Fake news and alternative facts are taking up more space on social media feeds, and citizens are becoming more and more skeptical of the truthfulness of traditional institutions such as the government, the media and even science. It’s all a part of a trend RAND president and CEO Michael Rich has described as “truth decay,” the erosion of truth in the political sphere and public discourse. Without a shared set of facts, he says, the foundation of our democracy is at risk. He sits down with Soledad O’Brien for an in-depth discussion on truth decay, its symptoms and how we can look for remedies.
May 6, 2017
May 13, 2017May 6, 2017
May 13, 2017This weekend on Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien, we dive into the First Amendment with...
How Fake News Is Evolving, Threatening Democracy
November 18, 2017How Fake News Is Evolving, Threatening Democracy
November 18, 2017The scope of fake news on social media platform is growing and malicious actors are becomi...
Combating Fake News Online
December 10, 2016Combating Fake News Online
December 10, 2016Fake news articles shared online by your friends and relatives could have serious effects ...
Professor Shares Concerns for Chinese Students in the U.S.
July 13, 2025Professor Shares Concerns for Chinese Students in the U.S.
July 13, 2025Ahead of the fall semester, foreign students from China are facing uncertainty about study...
Examining Medicaid Cuts
July 13, 2025Examining Medicaid Cuts
July 13, 2025Medicaid can be confusing. Benefits vary by state, and plans can go by different names – m...
How Mass Immigration Raids Impact Communities
July 13, 2025How Mass Immigration Raids Impact Communities
July 13, 2025On May 12, 2008, the small town of Postville, Iowa became known as the site of one of the ...
JULY 12, 2025
July 13, 2025JULY 12, 2025
July 13, 2025This week Matter of Fact travels to Postville, Iowa to look at the long-term impacts of a ...
JULY 5, 2025
July 8, 2025JULY 5, 2025
July 8, 2025From Colorado to Maryland, correspondent Jessica Gomez takes Matter of Fact viewers across...
