E.J. Dionne, Jr., Washington Post op-ed columnist, discussed his new book, Why the Right Went Wrong: Conservatism from Goldwater to the Tea Party and Beyond, and the role of the media in the 2016 election. Dionne also discussed Republican voters' attraction to the candidacy of Donald Trump, Nixon’s Southern strategy, the Young Americans for Freedom movement of the 1960s, and the use of humor in political discourse, among other topics. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded on February 23, 2016, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Nicco Mele, author, digital strategist and Wallis Annenberg Chair in Journalism at the USC Annenberg School of Journalism, discussed the future and feasibility of various news outlet business models. Mele, who is also a former senior vice president and deputy publisher of the Los Angeles Times, and a Shorenstein Center board member, said that while the production and distribution of digital journalism are well understood, "what's not well understood is how we make money or fund journalism in the digital age." Mele also discussed his time at the Los Angeles Times, opportunities for longform journalism, crowdfunding, microfunding, verticals for niche audiences, hyperlocal journalism, the role of social media in the 2016 election and more. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded on February 18, 2016, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Jill Abramson, lecturer at Harvard and former executive editor of The New York Times,discussed the 2016 election and its coverage in the media – both problematic and promising. Abramson discussed the line between analysis and opinion, political polarization and social media, and the competition between The New York Times and The Washington Post, among other topics. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded on February 17, 2016, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Sam Feist, who leads the production of CNN’s campaign coverage and debates as Washington bureau chief and senior vice president, discussed the network’s coverage of the 2016 election. Feist also discussed the composition of CNN’s panelists, the selection of candidates for the early Republican debates, editorial decisions on covering candidate rallies, and fact-checking. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded on February 16, 2016 at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Walter V. Robinson, editor at large for The Boston Globe, discussed the Globe’s investigation into the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal, the Oscar-nominated film "Spotlight," and the future of investigative reporting. Robinson, played by Michael Keaton in the film, discussed the Spotlight Team’s investigation and how it evolved, and which details of the "Spotlight" film are most accurate – and which took liberties. Robinson also discussed the cover up of sexual abuse by the Catholic Church, and the collusion between the Catholic Church and state governments that prevented the prosecution of priests. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded on February 9, 2016, at Harvard Kennedy School.

Bob Schieffer, Walter Shorenstein Media and Democracy Fellow, veteran CBS reporter, and former moderator of "Face the Nation," discussed this week’s Iowa Caucuses, and looked ahead to the upcoming primaries and general election. Schieffer also discussed the impact of the race on the Senate, Clinton’s email controversy, media coverage of Trump, Michael Bloomberg’s potential bid, and the questions he would like to ask the presidential candidates. This Shorenstein Center Campaign Series event was recorded on February 3, 2016, at Harvard Kennedy School.