Discussion Papers

Shorenstein Center Discussion Papers are written by fellows and visiting scholars. They are works of academic writing related to the Center’s core research initiatives, and are published by the Center with the goal of getting new ideas and research into the public eye.

The views expressed in Shorenstein Center Discussion Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Kennedy School or of Harvard University.

Discussion Papers have not undergone formal review and approval. Such papers are included in this series to elicit feedback and to encourage debate on important issues and public policy challenges.

Discussion Papers are published under the Kennedy School’s Open Access policy. Papers may be downloaded and will remain available to the public for free on our website.

Discussion Papers, Journalistic Practice, Public Interest Journalism, Publications,
Journalism Maybe
August 8, 2023
Kathy Gannon was a Joan Shorenstein Fellow for the 2022 fall semester at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. For 35 years she...
Discussion Papers, Disinformation, Faculty Research, Policy & Issues, Politics & Government, Public Interest Technology, Publications, Tech Policy, Technology,
Towards Digital Platforms and Public Purpose: Final Report of the Democracy and Internet Governance Initiative
July 6, 2023
Executive Summary In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, platforms have emerged as powerful intermediaries that shape our online experiences,...
Discussion Papers, Local News, News Business & Practice, Publications,
News Crisis: Can Local Public Radio Help Fill the News Gap Created by the Decline of Local Newspapers?
January 25, 2023
The views expressed in Shorenstein Center Discussion Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Kennedy School or...
Discussion Papers, Public Interest Technology, Publications,
Ethical Scaling for Content Moderation: Extreme Speech and the (In)Significance of Artificial Intelligence
June 9, 2022
The views expressed in Shorenstein Center Discussion Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Kennedy School or...
Discussion Papers, Public Interest Journalism, Publications,
Disrupted media – disrupted academy: Rethinking African j-schools
February 15, 2022
The views expressed in Shorenstein Center Discussion Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Kennedy School or...
Discussion Papers, Journalistic Practice, News Business & Practice, Papers, Publications,
Telling stories about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic: An investigation of biases in the international news media
November 12, 2021
The views expressed in Shorenstein Center Discussion Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Kennedy School or...
Discussion Papers, International Affairs, Press Freedom, Publications, Uncategorized, War, Defense & Security,
The Pen vs the AK-47: the Future of Afghan Media Under the Taliban
September 8, 2021
Written just prior to the Taliban's rapid takeover of Afghanistan, this new report from Shorenstein Center Fellow Samiullah Mahdi provides an overview...
Discussion Papers, Domestic Affairs, Papers, Policy & Issues, Politics & Government, Public Interest Technology, Publications, Technology,
A Turning Point in the Oversight of Digital Platforms: A Challenge for American Leadership
February 25, 2021
The views expressed in Shorenstein Center Discussion Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Kennedy School or...
Discussion Papers, Media Business, News Business & Practice, Public Interest Journalism, Publications,
Public Media Mergers Playbook
January 14, 2021
As local journalism continues to struggle to find a new economic footing, public media is one stalwart ally and anchor in the new local journalism landscape....
Discussion Papers, News Business & Practice, Policy & Issues, Publications, Race & Gender,
Self-Optimization in the Face of Patriarchy: How Mainstream Women’s Media Facilitates White Feminism
January 5, 2021
The capitalistic, corporate, individualistic narratives of fourth-wave and white feminism are communicated and reinforced by mainstream women's media....