News often raises questions that require deeper context, background, or clarification. This page features explainers that break down major stories, media trends, reporting practices, and the forces that shape public information. Each topic is listed alphabetically to help you quickly find the stories and concepts you want to understand more clearly.
Select a topic below to explore a news explainer.
THIS DAY IN NEWS
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right … and a desire to know.”
EXPLAINER OF THE DAY
INSURECTION ACT
In all cases of insurrection, or obstruction to the laws, either of the United States, or of any individual state or territory, where it is lawful for the President of the United States to call forth the militia for the purpose of suppressing such insurrection, or of causing the laws to be duly executed, it shall be lawful for him to employ, for the same purposes, such part of the land or naval force of the United States, as shall be judged necessary, having first observed all the pre-requisites of the law in that respect. Read More