Americans have a deeply complicated relationship with press freedom—one that can’t be reduced to a simple “for it” or “against it” mindset. On one hand, an overwhelming 73% of U.S. adults say freedom of the press is “very” or “extremely” important to the well-being of society, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center and the Pew-Knight Initiative. That’s about as close to consensus as anything can be in today’s divided political climate. Majorities of both Democrats and Republicans agree on this broad principle, though Democrats are significantly more likely to say it’s essential. But then comes the…

Picture this: you’re scrolling through your social media feed late at night, and a video stops you mid-thumb. A smiling influencer, someone with perfect lighting and a million followers, is talking about a new “miracle” supplement or a skincare routine that changed their life. The comments are flooded with gratitude and excitement. It looks real, it feels personal, and within hours, it has been shared thousands of times. Meanwhile, somewhere in a clinic, a doctor sees the same video and sighs. They know the claims are exaggerated, possibly even dangerous. But correcting it will take time, patience, and a video…