Current Events & Social Issues Resources
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Contents
- News Media
- Fact Checkers
- Specific Current Events & Social Issues
News Media
Print Media |
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Please note: Some of these sites may limit how many articles you can view or limit what features can be used on their site if you are not a subscriber.
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- Bloomberg Businessweek Provides the latest business, industrial, investment, and political news and more.
- Catholic News Agency Reports news about the Catholic Church and news affecting the Church.
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Chicago Tribune
- Daily Herald
- The Guardian The U.S. edition of the British newspaper founded in 1819.
- IC Catholic Prep Knight Times The official newspaper of IC Catholic Prep!
- Maclean's Provides the latest news from Canada including the Canadian coverage of American politics.
- National Catholic Reporter Reports on news about the Catholic Church in the United States and news that affects the Catholic Church.
- New York Times
- NewsLink Links to newspapers all over the world can be found here.
- Newspaper Map Newspapers from around the world are shown on a map.
- Newsweek
- Stars and Stripes Independent publication that covers all branches of the U.S. military.
- Time
- Today's Front Pages View the front page of hundreds of newspapers in the United States, from the Newseum.
- USA Today
- US News and World Report
- The Wall Street Journal
- The Week
- Washington Post
- World Newspapers World newspapers online and news sites in English by region.
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Broadcast Media
- ABC News
- BBC News From the United Kingdom, here you can get international news.
- CBS News
- Cable News Network (CNN)
- Euronews Get the latest news from Europe.
- FOX News
- NBC News
- NPR News
- PBS News & Public Affairs
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Other Media |
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- Associated Press
- Global Voices Get articles about what’s going on globally with over 1400 writers and journalists contributing from around the world.
- Google News Archive Search historical newspapers from the United States, Mexico, Canada, and other select countries.
- Reuters An international news agency.
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Fact Checkers |
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- AP Fact Check Fact checks from a well-known international news organization.
- Fact Check.Org This project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center tries to sort out the deception and confusion from nonpartisan facts in American politics.
- Lead Stories Debunks political fake news, hoaxes, and rumors.
- Media Bias/Fact Check Evaluates news media (print, broadcast, online) for both bias and accuracy.
- Politifact Reporters and editors of the Tampa Bay Times fact the accuracy of statements made by members of Congress, White House officials, and other government officials.
- PunditFact The Poynter Institute checks the validity of statements made by pundits, bloggers, political annalists, talk show hosts and guests, and more.
- SciCheck Examines the accuracy of scientific claims and statements used by politicians to push public opinion and influence public policy.
- Snopes One of the first fact-checking websites. It was founded in 1994.
- Tin Eye Discover where an image appears and if has been altered.
- Truth or Fiction? Investigates urban legends, Internet rumors, email forwards, and more.
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Specific Current Events & Social Issues
General |
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- AllSides Provides both sides of controversial issues and current events removing bias.
- Balanced Politics Presents both sides of political and social issues such as term limits, affirmative action, death penalty, and more.
- Bunk History From the University of Richmond, this site archives a variety of media about current events, public history, and the government that shows the relationship between today and the past.
- Center for Public Integrity Founded in 1989 by journalist Charles Lewis, this nonprofit news organization investigates abuses of power and influence. Topics covered include money and democracy; environment; national security; and inequality, opportunity and poverty.
- Debatabase: A World of Great Debates Provides facts and resources on controversial topics for debates and other resources.
- Encyclopedia of Religion and Society The Hartford Institute for Religious Research presents an online edition of its 1998 encyclopedia. It is an excellent source about the religious aspects of the social sciences especially psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
- Findarticles Search for online articles from CBS.
- Gallup Organization Here you can get poll information on a variety of social and political topics. NOTE: You will have to set up a free account to access some materials.
- Hot Paper Topics St. Ambrose University Library has compiled a list of online resources for a variety of hot topics such as bioethical issues, death penalty, racism, immigration, and more.
- Issue Lab Provides access to case studies, papers, and more on a variety of controversial issues.
- Journalist's Resource Provides articles in the areas of government, economics, environment, politics, society, and international. Also includes tips for journalists or budding journalists and suggesting syllabi for teachers.
- Multonmah County Library Homework Center: Social Issues Here you'll find links to websites on a variety of social issues; both sides of an issue are covered.
- Pew Research Center A nonpartisan research center that researches U.S. politics, the media, social trends, religion, Internet and technology, science, and more.
- PollingReport.com According to the main page of the site, it is "An independent, nonpartisan resource on trends in American public opinion."
- PBS NewsHour Extra: News for Students and Teacher Resources 7-12 Grade Level Contains news articles, lesson plans, and more for students and teachers.
- Propublica - Series This investigative newsroom provides reports grouped by series including immigration, politics, healthcare, education, civil rights, criminal justice, environment, and more.
- Pros and Cons of Controversial Issues This nonprofit organization provides information on both sides of a controversial issue such as abortion, euthanasia, media violence, death penalty, gun control, drinking age, homosexuality, college football, and more.
- Public Agenda "Public Agenda has been providing unbiased and unparalleled research that bridges the gap between American leaders and what the public really thinks about issues ranging from education to foreign policy to immigration to religion and civility in American life." --from the website.
- Social Explorer From Oxford University Press, this database provides demographic data using maps, tables, and graphs.
- United States Conference of Bishops: Issues & Action Presents resources describing the Catholic Church's positions on social issues such as religious liberty, abortion, capital punishment, assisted suicide, domestic violence, homosexuality, and more.
- University of Illinois Subject Research Guide Provides advice on how to search for typical research topics including what search terms to use, databases you should try, books, articles, statistics, websites, and more. Please note that some resources listed are only available for university students.
- World Public Opinion Provides research on various opinions on international issues.
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Crime and Punishment |
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(Gun Control, Gangs, Law Enforcement, Court System, Prisons, Capital Punishment)
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- Bureau of Justice Statistics This is a great resource on crime statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Death Penalty: ProCon.org Explores both sides of capital punishment debate including background, moral/ethical issues, legality, social views, religious views, and more.
- Death Penalty Information Center This non-profit organization provides analysis and information regarding the death penalty.
- FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Using multiple sources, the FBI maintains this site of crime statistics.
- Gun Violence Archive Reports statistics and other information about gun violence in the United States.
- National Criminal Justice Reference Service A federally funded service provides data on Corrections, Courts, Crime, Crime Prevention, Drugs, Justice System, Juvenile Justice, and more.
- National Gang Center The FAQ section is probably the most useful for students doing research about what is a gang and more.
- No More No More is a campaign to raise public awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault. Contains statistical information, PSAs, and more.
- The Sentencing Project This organization promotes reforms in sentencing policy to make the U.S. criminal justice more fair and effective. Its website is full of statistics about prisons, racial disparities, and more.
- Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics The Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics brings together data from more than 100 sources about all aspects of criminal justice in the United States, which are presented in over 600 tables.
- Trial and Error: Capital Punishment in U.S. History This article written by William S. McFeely explores the history of the death penalty in the United States.
- USCCB - The Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops contains the Catholic Church's position on the use of the death penalty.
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Economy & Economics |
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(Poverty, Wages, Homelessness, Taxes, Welfare, Consumerism, Trade, Tariffs, Markets)
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- Economic Policy Institute This institute explores the current issues affecting our economy.
- Homelessness From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this site provides resources about the homeless.
- Institute for Research on Poverty From the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this site has a FAQ page about poverty.
- National Center for Children in Poverty Contains a lot of data about children living in poverty including topics such as child development, mental health, immigrant families, welfare, and more.
- National Coalition for the Homeless Provides facts sheets about the homeless and other valuable information.
- National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty Addresses the causes and possible solutions of homelessness and presents it in the perspective of the law.
- State of Working America The Economic Policy Institute reports on data on family incomes, wages, jobs, unemployment, wealth, and poverty.
- The World Bank This organization's main focus is to assist those who are in extreme poverty all over the globe. Some great resources can be found here.
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Education |
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(Bullying, Standardized Testing, Plagiarism, Teaching, Schools, Colleges)
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- Civil Rights Data Collection Provides statistical information on public schools including enrollment demographics, courses, discipline, and more.
- Crime in American Schools: The Most Important Stats, Facts & Trends Examines crime in schools including bullying, violent crime & theft, hate crimes, and more.
- Mapping Student Debt: How Borrowing for College Affects the Nation Discusses the issue student debt and how it affects all of us.
- National Center for Education Statistics Collects statistical data on school districts, public schools, private schools, and colleges.
- Standardized Tests: ProCon Contains articles and background information both supporting and against the use of standardized testing in schools.
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Family |
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(Marriage, Divorce, Adoption, Abuse, Homosexuality, Aging)
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- American Association of Retired People Contains resources on issues retirees face including money and Social Security, health, diet, laws and legislation, and more.
- Facts for Families Developed by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, here are over 80 fact sheets on issues affecting children and adolescents.
- KIDS Count Data Center The Annie E. Casey Foundation assesses the child well-being in the United States including data on demographics, economics, education, family & community, health, and safety & risky behaviors.
- Senior Care Provides statistics for each state and community regarding senior citizens, articles about seniors and caring for them, and lists assisted living, home care, adult day care, and skilled nursing services in that community.
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Foreign Relations and Terrorism |
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(Terrorism, Drone Attacks, Islamic State, World trade)
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- Council on Foreign Relations This think tank’s site contains useful articles on a variety of foreign relations topics including defense, economics, energy, health, human rights, technology, terrorism, and more.
- Foreign Affairs Discusses the issues and controversies relating to foreign relations and policy.
- Foreign Policy Covers issues and news that affects the entire world.
- Global Terrorism Database Documents terror attacks around the world from 1970 to present.
- INCORE: Conflict Data Service This site features areas of the world where tensions are high or war has begun.
- National Geographic Hot Spot: Iraq National Geographic presents a wealth of information about Iraq, Islam, and more.
- Relief Web Discusses where humanitarian aid is needed in the world and what relief is needed.
- Should the United States Continue Its Use of Drone Strikes Abroad? Investigates the points on both sides of the issue of using drones for attacks.
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Government |
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(Constitution, Checks and Balances, Bill of Rights, Term limits, Budget, Congress, Campaign reform, Electoral College)
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- Fed Spending Tracks how public funds are being spent by the federal government and its agencies.
- GovTrack Keeps tabs on what is going on in Congress and where bills are in the process of becoming possible laws.
- JURIST: Legal News & Research This news and research service comes from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. It reports on the latest legal news and court rulings that have social and political significant.
- National Security Archive Catalogs declassified documents relating to national security, foreign policy, intelligence policy, military history, and diplomatic history.
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Human Rights |
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(Human trafficking, Slavery, Child labor, Sexual harassment, Women's rights)
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- American Civil Liberties Union Discusses the ACLU's position on human rights issues such as capital punishment, free speech, privacy rights, and more.
- Amnesty International Human Rights Issues Provides AI's position statements on a variety of human rights issues including the death penalty, poverty, torture, free speech, and more.
- Human Rights Watch A non-profit nongovernmental organization that reports on human rights around the world. Topics include the rights of children, the disabled, LGBT, refugee, and women; terrorism; free speech; environment; international justice; torture; and more.
- Illustrated Version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Illustrated by Yacine Ait Kaci, this site presents the document proclaimed and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 that lists the rights and freedoms to which every human being is equally and inalienably entitled.
- United Nations Office of the High Commissioner: Human Rights Clarifies what human rights are and the issues relating to human rights around the world.
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Immigration |
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(Undocumented immigrants, DREAMers, Border security)
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- BRYCS: Bridging Refugee Youth & Children Services The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops maintains this collection of resources to aid refugee and immigrant children and their families.
- Center for Immigration Studies This independent research organization has a variety of articles relating to immigration.
- FAIR: Federation for American Immigration Reform This website is for a nonprofit interest group that believes in improving border security, end illegal immigration, and limit immigration to about 300,000 per year.
- First Days Project Collects stories of immigrants about their first days in the United States.
- Immigration: ProCon Examines the arguments of both sides of issues relating to immigration.
- Immigration Since 1840 Explores the history of coming to America including going through Ellis Island or Angel Island, discrimination, quotas, trying to become a citizen, and more.
- Migration Policy Institute This nonpartisan think tank analyzes the movement of people around the world.
- National Immigration Forum This forum advocates for fair and supportive reforms to our immigration policies and has resources on immigration facts and legislation.
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Created in 1950, this site explains what the agency does, reports on emergencies around the world, and more.
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Media |
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(Censorship, Social media, Media violence, Media bias)
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- American Booksellers for Free Expression The American Booksellers Association provides resources about book censorship.
- As If! Authors Support Intellectual Freedom A blog written by YA authors about supporting intellectual freedom.
- Banned Books LibGuide Butler University Libraries discusses the issue of banning books with lists of commonly banned books, common reasons used for banning books, and more.
- Banned Books Week In 1982, Banned Books Week began to alert the public about the dangers of censoring books in schools, public libraries, and book stores. This, the official site to BBW, explores book censorship and ways to increase awareness.
- Comic Book Legal Defense Fund This nonprofit organization strives to protect American's right to read comic books and graphic novels. Here are discussions about the First Amendment, history of censoring comics, case files, and more.
- Does Social Media Impact Substance Abuse Blue Crest Recovery Center discusses how social media become an addiction and could be a cause of substance abuse.
- First Amendment Center Located at Vanderbilt University, the center focuses on issues regarding the First Amendment. On the site, you'll find articles on a variety of First Amendment topics.
- Media Bias/Fact Check Evaluates news media (print, broadcast, online) for both bias and accuracy.
- National Coalition Against Censorship Founded in 1974, this organization is "united by a conviction that freedom of thought, inquiry, and expression must be defended..." (from the website)
- National Council of Teachers of English Intellectual Freedom Contains the NTCE's position statements on censorship and book challenges in schools. There are also other helpful resources.
- Office for Intellectual Freedom From the American Library Association, this office is dedicated to assist libraries with challenges to their collections. Contains valuable information about book censorship.
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Race Relations |
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(Racial profiling, Hate groups, Hate crimes)
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- Anti-Defamation League Founded in 1916, this organization has a variety of resources including anti-semitism, bigotry, bullying, immigrant rights, voting rights, women's rights, and more.
- Race: The Power of an Illusion The companion site to a three-part PBS documentary, this site contains documents relating to key concepts covered in the series, interactive quizzes, time lines, and slideshows.
- Talking about Race The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture provides resources and tools on how to start an effective conversation about race.
- Understanding Prejudice Provides over 200 links to resources relating to prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination.
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Science and Technology |
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(Ethics, Genetics, Stem Cells, Cyber-crimes and security)
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- Data and Society Provides data on how technology affects society. Topics include media manipulation, artificial intelligence, how technology affects the labor force, health, libraries and privacy, law and ethics, technology and education, human rights and human security, and more.
- Family Online Safety Institute Full of resources and tips for families on how to stay safe on the Internet and social media.
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