When running a social enterprise, it can be difficult measuring the success of your social bottom line. World Public Opinion seems to have an answer - at the very least for mainstream news media. Unfortunately, the findings state that these primary resources for informing the public are desperately in the red when it comes to effectively communicating the truth.

The table above from the article, shows the public's support for the war in Iraq according to news resource and number of misperceptions they have about the war. The analysis sought to find how many people incorrectly believed that evidence of links between Iraq and al Qaeda have been found, weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq, and that world public opinion favored the US going to war with Iraq.

As you can see, there's a very plain trend in their findings. Less mainstream sources tended to provide more factual information, and obviously an informed citizen seems to be a discontented one, at least with regards to the war.

Gee, I wonder why...

Interestingly enough, the Pew Research Center brought to light a simpler measurement of the news media's failure. It's important to note that blog readers - such as yourself - tested to be more informed than viewers of Fox News. Lucky you!

Perhaps it may be time to consider introducing a concept of Social Bankruptcy. I would actually be pretty interested in seeing some of your thoughts on that. Let's see 'em - have you got two pennies to rub together?