The Paley Center for Media Examines the Forces Shaping the 2026 Midterm Elections
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
The Media and The Midterms: Determining America’s Future, the Latest Program in Paley’s Media Impact Series, Will Examine the Campaign Strategies, Media Narratives, and Voter Priorities Driving One of the Year’s Most Consequential Elections
Featuring Leading Voices from Both Sides of the Aisle in Media and Politics Including Karen Defilippi, Patrick Egan, Astead W. Herndon, Margaret Talev, Jay Townsend, and Matt Welch
The Program Will Take Place at The Paley Museum on Thursday, October 1
New York, NY, September 9, 2026 – The Paley Center for Media announced today the latest program in its acclaimed Media Impact Series, The Media and The Midterms: Determining America’s Future. Bringing together leading journalists, political strategists, and scholars, the conversation will take place on Thursday, October 1, at 6:30 pm at The Paley Museum in Midtown Manhattan.
With control of the House and Senate at stake, the 2026 midterm elections will help determine the nation’s political direction for the next two years. Campaigns and voters are navigating an increasingly fragmented information environment, where traditional news organizations, television, podcasts, social media, and digital creators all play a role in shaping political conversations and public understanding. Against a backdrop of intense debate over the economy, jobs, immigration, health care, climate change, and other pressing issues, the program will examine how these forces are shaping the issues, narratives and voter decision-making at the center of the race.
The discussion will explore how campaigns and political parties are working to reach and persuade voters, the growing influence of digital creators and alternative news platforms, and the challenges of navigating misinformation, competing narratives, and shifting levels of trust in news. Panelists will also consider how changing patterns of news consumption are influencing political engagement and what the election could mean for the country’s future and America’s standing in the world.
Participating in the event will be Karen Defilippi, Campaign Strategist & Managing Partner, Versus Media Group; Patrick Egan, Professor of Politics & Public Policy and Director, Berkley Institute for Civil Discourse & Civic Solutions, New York University; Astead W. Herndon, Editorial Director, Vox; Host, America, Actually podcast; Jay Townsend, President, The Townsend Group, Inc; and Matt Welch, Editor at Large, Reason magazine; Cohost, The Fifth Column podcast. Moderating the event will be Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship.
“As Americans navigate an increasingly complex media environment, understanding how people receive, interpret, and engage with information has never been more important,” said Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO of The Paley Center for Media. “Through this timely conversation, Paley brings together leading voices from both sides of the aisle to explore the evolving role of media and its impact as we head toward the 2026 midterm elections.”
The Media Impact Series spotlights the role of media in influencing thought and behavior. The program aims to reach media professionals, students, and the public at large to encourage careful consideration of media’s impact on society and, thereby, foster more critical viewers and readers.
Tickets for this program are now on sale to Paley President’s Circle, Patron Circle, and Partner Members; to Paley Individual, Family, and Supporting Members on Thursday, September 10 at noon ET; and to the general public on Friday, September 11 at noon ET. For more information and to learn more about the benefits of Paley Membership, including ticket presale and discounts, please visit paleycenter.org/membership.
Tickets to Paley events sell out quickly and members of the public are encouraged to sign up for Paley Membership to have early access to tickets at a discount. Paley Members also receive free admission year-round to The Paley Museum, VIP invitations, admission to The Paley Archive library, access to the PaleyGX Gaming Studio and VR Experience, and more. To learn more about these exclusive benefits, please visit Paley Membership.
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Media Contacts:
Teresa Brady, The Paley Center for Media, 212.621.6757, tbrady@paleycenter.org
PMK Entertainment, paleycenter@pmkentertainment.com
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About The Paley Center for Media
Founded by media pioneer William S. Paley in 1975, and chaired by Frank A. Bennack, Jr. since 1991, The Paley Center for Media is the world’s leading nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to preserving media history and exploring media’s powerful shaping influence on culture and society. The Paley Center for Media, which owns the iconic Philip Johnson-designed Paley Museum, has proudly made its home in New York City for fifty years. The Paley Museum is where media, sports, gaming, and entertainment come together and has been recognized as New York City's "Best Museum" and "Best Children’s Party Place" for three years in a row.
During the year, the Paley Center produces unmatched programs and respected educational classes for the public and industry. Paley’s best-in-class public programming offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences and exclusive access to today’s most talked about names through memorable programs that are entertaining, educational, and captivate audiences across generations. On the industry side, programs educate, inform, and lead the conversation on the rapidly evolving media landscape. Paley’s unmatched convening power offers unparalleled access to top industry CEOs, world dignitaries, and global thought leaders. At the heart of the institution is the Paley Archive—the largest publicly accessible collection of its kind—with more than 160,000 programs. Often referred to as a national treasure, this invaluable resource is available at The Paley Museum in New York and at the Beverly Hills Public Library in California and plays a central role in Paley’s respected educational initiatives that serve K-12 educators and students throughout the year.