If climate stories only show catastrophe, do audiences feel powerless?
Our Director of Research Erica Rosenthal shares our body on research on climate storytelling at the @sierraclub.org symposium and how stories can shift narratives and drive action.
Watch: www.youtube.com/live/y0XqBFA...
There’s been almost no research on how Black journalists are portrayed in popular culture.
A new IJPC Journal special section begins to change that, offering first-of-its-kind analysis across film, TV, and literature.
Read more: www.ijpc.org/page/journal...
The first-ever USC symposium exploring the intersection of arts, health, medicine and wellness brings together faculty, artists & healthcare leaders for panels, talks, and live demos. Opening keynote by Kate Folb, director of our @hollywdhealth.bsky.social program: calendar.usc.edu/event/arts-h...
The Walter Cronkite Awards For Excellence in Political Journalism honor reporting that holds power accountable and strengthens democracy through accuracy, independence, and integrity.
Watch highlights from the 2025 acceptance speeches:
www.cronkiteawards.org/2025ceremony...
Latinos make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population—but just 6% of roles in top broadcast TV. Our latest research examines how Latino characters are portrayed—and what’s missing.
Featured in the Los Angeles Times (De Los). bit.ly/4c7HDou
Latino communities span 20+ countries, each with distinct cultures, yet that specificity rarely appears on screen. While Latino actors reflect a wide range of backgrounds, the characters they’re cast as are far more limited. Our new report explores these gaps: learcenter.org/latinorepresentation
LIVE today at 10am PT: Director of Research Erica Rosenthal shares our Lear Center research on audience reactions to HBO Max's 'The Pitt.'
www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
How does the medical community view HBO Max’s Emmy-winning drama The Pitt? Lear Center Research Director Erica Rosenthal and Hollywood, Health & Society Director Kate Langrall Folb break it down on the podcast Tomorrow Will Be Televised.
tomorrowwillbetelevised.com/episodes/tom...
As The Pitt enters season two, new Lear Center research shows that thoughtful medical storytelling resonates with clinicians — and motivates audiences to seek out and share real-world health information. learcenter.org/ThePitt
parade.com/news/medical...
ICYMI: Rachel Maddow, Scott Pelley, Peter Alexander and others joined Lear Center Director Marty Kaplan on stage for the 2025 Walter Cronkite Awards at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The full event video is here:
www.c-span.org/program/publ...
Streaming now on C-SPAN2 & the C-SPAN app |
YouTube | Hulu + Live TV
Our Managing Director @mojojohanna.bsky.social has partnered with @worldbank and global leaders in Abuja, Nigeria for Entertaining Change—a gathering exploring how storytelling and strategy can drive social impact.
The conversation continues in Lagos, streaming live here: youtube.com/@evgworld1
This week, our Managing Director @mojojohanna.bsky.social has convened with #TheWorldBank and global partners in Nigeria for "Entertaining Change" — a powerful gathering that is exploring how storytelling and strategy can drive social impact at scale.
www.worldbank.org/en/events/20...
Thanks for sharing!
Grateful that I had the opportunity to consult on the @learcenter.bsky.social's latest study, which looked at the impact of The Pitt's organ donation and end-of-life care storylines on viewers: www.mediaimpactproject.org/thepitt.html
Us too ❤️
Congrats to HBO Max’s The Pitt on its Emmy wins — Outstanding Drama Series plus honors for Noah Wyle & Katherine LaNasa! @hollywdhealth.bsky.social helped connect the writers with experts so stories, characters & challenges felt real. Research on how it resonates with audiences will be out this fall
Celebrating stories that make a difference!
From The Pitt to Matlock to Shrinking, the New Norman Lear Awards honor TV tackling racism, climate, addiction & more—marking 25 years of honoring storytelling that sparks change.
deadline.com/2025/09/the-...
In the @financialtimes.com: Colbert may keep skewering CBS until he is let go then turn to podcasts or streaming, says Lear Center Director Marty Kaplan. Don’t expect a comedy successor — “what the new ownership wants CBS to be is not what brilliant comedy is about.” bit.ly/4lbkq5W
Today we honor Norman Lear on what would have been his 103rd birthday.
His belief that stories could spark conversation — and change — shaped television and culture. We continue exploring how media influences the way we see ourselves and each other — work made possible by his vision.
Can TV help fight cancer?
Join @hollywdhealth for this virtual Lunch & Learn on using humor+storytelling to normalize breast, gynecologic & colorectal cancer screenings. Featuring public health experts+TV creatives.
Aug 5 | ⏰ 12:30–1:30pm PT
Online
RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/tv-screens...
Most TV deaths are violent, but that’s not how most people die.
Max's 'The Pitt' got it right — thanks to guidance from @hollywdhealth.bsky.social and #EndWell showing the real emotional and ethical complexities of end-of-life care.
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Accuracy matters—especially when it comes to health storylines on TV. Aspen Ideas: Health invited Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Zoanne Clack,MD, and Lear Center Director Marty Kaplan to talk about how entertainment can drive understanding—and why getting it right is more than just good storytelling.
What a privilege to know Bill Moyers as a journalist and a friend. His boundless curiosity, penetrating mind, generosity, humanity — he taught us all so much. I'm grateful to have had him in my life, & I join so many of Bill's colleagues & friends in sending condolences to Judith & their family.-MK
Today! 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM PT
Storytelling in the Age of Climate. How can filmmakers tackle the climate crisis and tell unforgettable stories? Our Director of Research Erica Rosenthal joins this virtual panel on blending real science with powerful, cinematic storytelling.
How do filmmakers tell powerful stories about the climate crisis—without losing the heart? Research Dir. Erica Rosenthal joins this virtual #SloanSalon conversation with writers, producers & researchers.
Hosted by @filmindependent.org and @sloanfoundation.bsky.social
shorturl.at/pzJ2E
The harms of social media go far beyond kids and teens—but are stories and coverage keeping up? Our new study funded by @luminategroup.bsky.social explores how news and entertainment portray tech’s impact on society—and what audiences want to see.
➜ learcenter.org/technology
“These two are always on stage and aware of it,” says
@martykaplan.bsky.social of Trump and Newsom. Their clash isn’t just about policy — it’s about perception and control of the narrative. The fight over California has become a national drama about democracy itself.
At the Norman Lear Center, we’re committed to tackling the climate crisis through research + storytelling—partnering with creators to inspire action through film, TV, and media. 🌱📺
Learn more: www.learcenter.org/climatechange
#ClimateStorytelling #HollywoodClimateSummit
