123 - Econ3: Understanding the media ecosystem and how it informs public opinion in the internet age featuring Hunt Allcott and David Rothschild

This podcast episode delves into the fascinating world of media ecosystems in the internet age, and how they shape public opinion. The interview features Economist David Rothschild, who sheds light on the evolving nature of news media, from story development to distribution via aggregators and wire services. Rothschild also discusses the ways in which news outlets are appealing to their audiences, and shares insights into media bias and misinformation, as well as how research may inform the future of news. Hosted by Senior Principal Researcher Hunt Allcott, the conversation offers a social science perspective on complex systems that impact technology, and laws and policies.

Additionally, the episode explores Rothschild’s work with Project Ratio, which aims to better understand public opinion and political polarization by studying the news ecosystem using data and infrastructure. By examining a range of impactful systems, including economic ones, Microsoft researchers seek to better understand society on a deeper level beyond just numbers and statistics. Tune in to gain a deeper appreciation for the intersection of economics, data, and social science in the modern world.

You can listen to this podcast episode on Spotify by clicking on the following link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Xllz6F5TqNW88wA0KwpXa.