By Renee Hobbs, Temple University | Mass Communication and Society
On October 2, 2009, the Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy released their report, “Informing Communities: Sustaining Democracy in the Digital Age.” Among the main recommendations, the Commission urges that the nation (1) maximize the availability of relevant and credible information to all Americans; (2) strengthen the capacity of individuals to engage with information; and (3) promote individual engagement with information and the public life of the community.
In particular, the report recommends that digital and media literacy be integrated as critical elements of education at all levels through collaboration among federal, state and local education officials. Young people, in particular, have a special role to play in efforts to develop the digital information and communication capacities of local communities. Other recommendations call for universal broadband, open networks, transparent government, vibrant local journalism, public media reform, and local public engagement.
The report acknowledges that many efforts will be needed to bring digital and media literacy to all Americans. Simple access to media and technology does not necessarily lead to media literacy, which is defined as the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and communication messages in a wide variety of forms. The report points out, “It may be tempting for teachers and administrators who are themselves uncomfortable with new media to view digital and media competencies as ‘add-ons’ to basic learning in ‘reading, writing and arithmetic.’ They are, however, new forms of foundational learning.”
The report calls for a federal initiative to assess the quality of digital and media literacy in the nation’s schools and for efforts to incorporate digital and media literacy education into institutions of higher education to prepare future teachers. In the fall of 2010, a white paper will lay out specific recommendations to help communities develop initiatives to bring digital and media literacy to all its citizens.
The report emphasizes that Americans need to maintain a commitment to enduring information ideals, including the values of openness, inclusion and engagement. At a time of rapid technological change, when more and more ordinary citizens are adopting the roles of both producers and consumers of information, it is important to develop strategies to help people acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies they need to participate fully and responsibly.
Developed by an impressive blue-ribbon commission including leaders from new and traditional communications businesses, local communities, nonprofits, and government, with an impressive level of community involvement and participation, the report was developed after months of study and deliberation. The Commission was led by co-chairs Ted Olson, former Solicitor General of the United States, and Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Search Product and User Experience at Google. Peter Shane, a distinguished law professor at Ohio State University Law School, is the Commission’s executive director. The Knight Commission is the first major commission on media since the Hutchins Commission in the 1940’s and the Kerner and Carnegie Commissions of the 1960s.
The report, “Informing Communities: Sustaining Democracy in the Digital Age,” is available at http://knightcomm.org