Why Democracies Often Fail

TUESDAY 09 JULY 2013

British public wrong about nearly everything, survey shows

"Research shows public opinion often deviates from facts on key social issues including crime, benefit fraud and immigration

A new survey for the Royal Statistical Society and King's College London shows public opinion is repeatedly off the mark on issues including crime, benefit fraud and immigration.

The research, carried out by Ipsos Mori from a phone survey of 1,015 people aged 16 to 75, lists ten misconceptions held by the British public. Among the biggest misconceptions are ..."

"We need to see three things happen. First, politicians need to be better at talking about the real state of affairs of the country, rather than spinning the numbers.

Secondly, the media has to try and genuinely illuminate issues, rather than use statistics to sensationalise. "

And finally we need better teaching of statistical literacy in schools, so that people get more comfortable in understanding evidence.""

Amen.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-public-wrong-about-nearly-everything-survey-shows-8697821.html

Muslims, benefits and teenage pregnancies: the perils of perception

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/07/muslims-benefits-and-teenage-pregnancies-perils-perception