Focus Areas

Policy & Impact

Exploring how media and policy shape each other—and their impact on civic life, public discourse, and democracy.

Related Research Initiatives

Civic Health & Institutions Project (CHIP50), Computational Policy Lab, Democracy and Internet Governance, Documentary Film in the Public Interest Initiative, The HKS Misinformation Review, The Journalist’s Resource

The Shorenstein Center investigates how public interest media—ranging from journalism and documentary film to independent and emerging digital platforms—both shapes and is shaped by the policies governing our civic life. We study how reporting and storytelling influence public policy, civic participation, and the democratic process, while also analyzing how public and corporate policies, such as regulation, funding structures, and content moderation, impact what news and information gets produced and distributed. Through research, convenings, and collaboration with journalists, policymakers, and practitioners, we explore the interplay between media and policy, highlighting the crucial role each plays in shaping an informed and engaged society.