AllSides

Freeing people from information "filter bubbles" so they can better understand the world and each other.

The Problem

We're all overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of information coming our way, whether online, in print, or on TV. And so, for sanity's sake, we filter most of it out. The problem is, we tend to filter out information that doesn't align with our current beliefs and predispositions -- a tendency amplified by the the incentives social and news media have to tell us what we want to hear. We end up existing in our own "filter bubbles,"rarely encountering information that challenges our beliefs and interacting solely with like-minded peers. The result is a society where people are less informed and less tolerant of different views, and an increasingly polarized political environment where compromise -- essential to democratic decision making and problem-solving -- becomes impossible.

The Solution

Allsides seeks to bring diversity and variety back to our information diet, changing the way we get information so it is easy to sort through news and break out of our filter bubbles. The Allsides website presents a range of perspectives in daily news coverage to give readers multiple takes on the same issue -- not just one slant -- and allows users to read, organize, submit, and share news as well as review and contribute to "bias ratings." The organization also works with schools to build digital and media literacy and train students how to "respect, tolerate and appreciate each other across differences." A recent program, Mismatch, connects high school and college students with different backgrounds to have respectful discussions on important issues. The assumption is that "with diversity in thought and relationship, we can appreciate and talk about differences, engage in productive problem solving and collaborate."

Stage of Development

  • Early Stage
  • Established Prototype
  • Scaling
  • Other

Organization to Receive Funds

AllSides

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