Economic conditions matter. Inflation increases what we pay for everything from food to houses. When unemployment is high, some of us do not have a job. And low economic growth makes it harder to get promoted or gain a higher salary. The question is, how much can (and should) the government do to ensure a Goldilocks economy — one with low inflation, strong economic growth, and low unemployment?

Because the news media is the primary way Americans learn about politics and policy, we hold news media organizations to high standards of neutrality, ethics, and fairness. Do they live up to this standard?

The media sources from which an American receives information is considered one of the most important factors for predicting that person’s political views. Research has not firmly established whether the media influences views or whether people simply selectively pick media sources that align with their existing ideas. So, what are the differences in the media diet of Republicans and Democrats? Does one party trust the media more than the other? What do we make of the changing media landscape that includes a growing number of digital media sites?