FAS

Information Needs in a Democracy: Request for Comment

04.27.09 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

While official secrecy is a serious impediment to democratic vitality, the continuing decline of news gathering, reporting and editorial capacity could be a potential catastrophe.  It is still unclear whether new and nascent forms of information sharing can provide a satisfactory substitute.

The Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy is soliciting public input on a series of questions about information access and use, revolving around the most basic question:  “Do you have the information you need to accomplish your personal goals and to be an effective citizen?”  To participate in the survey, go here.