There are facts and then there is narrative. Politicians, the media, and activists are more concerned with the narrative, because that's what gets their point across to the audience. However, these perceived experts are often times wrong.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/04/19/177999020/episode-357-how-much-should-we-trust-economics

http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2013/04/29/179853272/elegance-trumps-ethics-in-a-scientific-scandal

http://www.amazon.com/Wrong-us-Scientists-relationship-consultants/dp/B005DI6QAM

In this age of web publishing, there is no reason why the actual data ostensibly used as the basis for a research paper, news story, or political position can't be made readily available to the reader, and it often times is provided. However, the general public doesn't know how to analyze large amounts of data.

I believe that where we in the data professional community can contribute the most is, not jumping on the bandwagon and promoting some cause, but rather taking on the role of validating and presentation of data, providing tools that the public can use to draw their own conclusions.