Red, Blue and Purple Media: Deciding What’s True in a Polarized Nation

press release: Americans have a nearly unlimited set of sources to pick from in order to learn about politics. What are the consequences of these using different news sources – from traditional media to cable TV to social media – when it comes to what people believe and how they behave at the ballot box? Join UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication Professor Mike Wagner for an important, informative and very engaging presentation on our rapidly changing contemporary media landscape and what this means we approach the 2016 elections.  How can we make our way through conflicting reports...and what questions should the press be asking?

Bring your questions and an open mind and get ready to learn about "the state of the American democratic experiment " with the upcoming November elections.

Michael W. Wagner is Associate Professor and Louis A. Maier Faculty Fellow in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Wagner is also affiliated with the Department of Political Science. Wagner’s research and teaching are centered around answering the question, “how well does democracy work?” He is the author or co-author of several books including Political Behavior of the American Electorate. He’s published more than 40 articles and book chapters in the areas of political communication, journalism, public opinion and biology and politics. A former radio/television news reporter and anchor, Wagner is an award winning teacher and advisor.