Crisis in Democracy: Renewing Trust in America

"Holding those in power accountable is a critical element of a democratic republic. Another vital element is communication between the government and the citizenry. Therefore, freedom of the press, protected by the Constitution, is elemental to self-governance."

From the Knight Commission on Trust, Media and Democracy, this report focuses on the intersection of the distrust in United States (US)' democratic institutions and in the journalistic media. The Commission recommends specific actions to restore trust by identifying: what journalists can do; what the media distributors such as social media and other digital networks can do; what government and business leaders can do; and what each American can and should do to assume responsibility for democratic governance.

A partnership of the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Commission consists of 27 individuals from various sectors of society - current and former members of media, business, nonprofits, academia, government, and the arts. To inform this report, beginning in the summer of 2017, the Commission held meetings around the country, hearing from a wide array of witnesses, scholars, activists, government officials and, through a Medium channel, the general public.

Why has trust in government and media in the US declined? The first part of the report provides context, looking at trust in democratic governance, the American history of media and democracy, and the new media environment. In brief, numerous studies have found that the overall level of trust in government among Americans has been declining steadily over the past half-century. Among the factors that have undermined Americans' faith in democratic institutions are a perception of government as increasingly dysfunctional, dislocations caused by globalisation and immigration, political polarisation, large inequalities in wealth and income, reduced upward mobility, and racial tensions. While a free press and robust journalism are essential elements of a healthy democracy, much of the public doubt that the national news media are unbiased and fair and are concerned that social media have been used to disseminate disinformation. The Commission also considers the decline in trust in government in the context of two larger trends: the parallel drop in Americans' trust in a broad range of other institutions, and a similar pattern that is happening globally.

The Commission: champions vibrant and responsible journalism as a critical component of self-government and accountability; believes in a world where new forms of communication and technology enhance, rather than diminish, a healthy democracy; and sees digitally- and civically-literate citizens as the fundamental drivers of a vibrant American future. To support this vision, the second part of the report offers a series of recommendations to:

• Restore trust in journalism by:
  • Encouraging radical transparency and community engagement from news organisations (e.g., such that they provide users with information about how outlets select stories to cover, what sources they use, and how they reach their conclusions, while proactively soliciting user input);
  • Increasing support for quality journalism at all levels, with a focus on rebuilding local journalism (e.g., by supporting sustainable nonprofit and journalism collaborations);
  • Using technology to enhance journalism's roles in fostering democracy; and
  • Building a news and information ecosystem that reflects the diversity of individual communities and the nation.
• Strengthen democracy through technology by engaging technology companies and online services in:
  • Responsibly protecting user information while proactively addressing disinformation and "filter bubbles";
  • Embracing transparency by providing more information about the impact of their advertising tools, the source and sponsorship of content online, and the role algorithms play in the flow of news and information; and
  • Investing in new structures and technology-based solutions to address emerging problems.
• Revitalise citizenship in the digital age by:
  • Ensuring that education in civics and 21st century literacies for all citizens better align the democratic process with the US' modern, highly connected culture;
  • Creating local spaces for constructive civic dialogue bridging various communities and encouraging broader civic engagement; and
  • Encouraging widespread commitment to a year of voluntary national service.

"This report begins and ends with the current national crisis in trust. Americans need to take measures now to sustain the democracy that has developed for almost two and a half centuries, to maintain the free and open press that undergirds that democracy, and inspire the citizenry to find areas of common ground that outweigh their political and cultural differences. Like democracy at its best, this will be a process. This report is only a beginning point - a compass, not a map."

The Commission invites you to join the public dialogue on this report beginning in February 2019 on this interactive website or by using the Twitter hashtag #knightcomm