The future of black journalism

Editor's note

In the 20th century, African-American newspapers helped lay the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement, with weeklies like the Los Angeles Sentinel and the Pittsburgh Courier reaching millions and covering stories that the mainstream media largely ignored.

Today readership is down. At a moment in history when a number of issues facing black communities sound depressingly familiar, USC Annenberg’s Bill Celis wonders who – and what – will be able to preserve and advance the legacy of the black press.

And with Black History Month wrapping up, you can check out the rest of our coverage.

Nick Lehr

Editor, Arts and Culture

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Workers operate the Chicago Defender’s printing press in 1941. Wikimedia Commons

Can the black press stay relevant?

Bill Celis, University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

From the treatment of black World War II veterans to Emmett Till's murder, the black press helped lay the groundwork for the civil rights movement. What role can it play today?

Environment + Energy
Why farmers and ranchers think the EPA Clean Water Rule goes too far Reagan Waskom, Colorado State University; David J. Cooper, Colorado State University The Trump administration is preparing to roll back the 2015 Clean Water Rule, which identifies waters that are federally protected. Two water experts explain why the rule alarms farmers and ranchers.

Politics + Society

America has not always been as welcoming to refugees as we think

Allen Wells, Bowdoin College

Trump's travel ban is an echo of policies passed in the United States during World War II.
The Democratic Party is facing a demographic crisis

Musa al-Gharbi, Columbia University

As America becomes more diverse, many think it will also become more progressive. But one analysis of demographic trends points to gains for Republicans.

“Forty years of regulation have diminished such publicly convincing evidence of severe pollution that led to EPA regulation in the first place.”

Walter Rosenbaum

University of Florida

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Economy + Business
How the NEA's measly millions keep America's museums alive Robert Ekelund, Auburn University Trump has indicated he wants to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts in his budget to save money. The impact on many US museums could be devastating.

Health + Medicine
Do you know what the Affordable Care Act does? Here's a primer to help Darius Lakdawalla, University of Southern California; Anup Malani, University of Chicago Opinions are strong about the Affordable Care Act, but not everyone understands what the nearly 1,000-page law does. In case you missed the high points of the law, here's a primer to help.

Rest of the World

Africa has a long history of fake news after years of living with non-truth

George Ogola, University of Central Lancashire

In Africa, the idea of a post-truth era - which by implication fundamentally presupposes the existence of an era in which ‘truth’ was self-evident - is folly.
The rise of violence in French Guiana has roots in the colonial past

Martine Batt, Université de Lorraine; Cédric Andriot, Université de Guyane

Violence is on the rise in French Guiana. To understand this phenomenon, scholars delve into the often tragic history of the region.
Explainer: what is VX nerve agent and how does it work?

Martin Boland, Charles Darwin University

Malaysian police have identified a chemical the could have led to the death of the North Korean leader's half brother as the deadly VX nerve agent.
Scientists create electric circuits inside plants

Stuart Thompson, University of Westminster

Do androids smell electric roses?

Editor's note

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Environment + Energy

Politics + Society

Economy + Business

Health + Medicine

Rest of the World