Trust in American democratic institutions has steadily declined for decades due in large part to a rapidly changing information ecosystem. Without trust, democracy cannot function. To address this, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program are launching the Knight Commission on Trust, Media and Democracy. This nonpartisan commission will explore causes for the erosion of trust in democratic institutions, in particular the press. It will also identify new thinking and solutions around rebuilding trust.
The Commission is comprised of 25 thinkers and doers from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, committed to understanding both the causes and consequences of the growing distrust in democracy institutions.
Tony Marx and Jamie Woodson will co-chair the effort. Marx leads one of nation’s largest library systems and is responsible for strengthening the New York City Library’s role as an essential provider of educational resources and opportunities for all ages. Woodson has been at the forefront of Tennessee student achievement efforts for more than 20 years. She has led numerous civic efforts as a Speaker Pro Tem and Chairman of the Senate Education Committee for the Tennessee General Assembly and most currently as the executive chairman and CEO of the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE).
The first official Commission meeting is October 12, 2017, in New York City at the New York Public Library. Subsequent meetings will then be hosted in the Bay Area in January, Racine WI in the spring, and in Aspen, CO in the summer of 2018. To attend the public session of the meeting, please register here.
