When Joe Saltzman teaches journalism ethics, his examples come from TV and film. “I find that this approach dramatically helps students visualize, sometimes on a visceral level, the ethical problem under discussion,” he writes in Media Ethics Magazine. Saltzman directs our Image of the Journalist in Popular Culture project.

Happy 99th Birthday to the phenomenal Norman Lear! It has been a gift to us to ride along on your amazing life journey. To celebrate this milestone birthday, we highlight your exceptional life and career with this 99-second showcase.

What does western media get wrong about Africa? Full Frontal with Samantha Bee cited our Africa in the Media study in a recent segment titled RwandaVision about the dearth of accurate and positive depictions of the African continent in western TV and film. When African countries and people are depicted, it most likely focuses on trauma, crime and poverty. Our research team found that only 14% of depictions were positive.

In a special report from Unbound Philanthropy, an international roster of researchers, innovators, funders and influencers – including Lear Center managing director Johanna Blakley and Hollywood, Health & Society director Kate Folb – weigh in on the potential of narratives in film, TV and video games to catalyze a pro-social culture shift in the UK.

“At close to 99, I can tell you that I’ve never lived alone, I’ve never laughed alone and that has as much to do with my being here today as anything else I know.” Norman Lear receives the Carol Burnett Award at the 2021 Golden Globes. Watch his inspiring acceptance speech.

The Norman Lear Center mourns the loss our friend and supporter Irwin “Sonny” Fox, beloved television host and broadcaster and former president of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He became an impassioned advocate for social impact entertainment and served on the board of Hollywood, Health & Society. We pay tribute to him here.