Explanatory journalism: A tool in the war against polarization and dysfunction

[Commentary] Explanatory journalism aspires to provide essential context to the hourly flood of news—not simply a separate fact-checking operation but the mobilization of a rich array of relevant information made possible by new technology but presented to the public in accessible and digestible formats. It is fact-based and data-rich but doesn’t shy away from making arguments that flow from the evidence—even at the risk of being charged with taking sides. It seeks to unravel the mysteries of policy and politics with historical and empirical context and speak openly and honestly about the stakes and drivers of our public life. While it is no panacea for what ails American democracy, explanatory journalism is the most promising development in the rapidly changing world of media and politics.