Technology can do more than ‘inform and engage’

In addition, we as a country cannot afford to rely on traditional media like newspapers to get all of our information. Local television news ratings continue to suffer historic declines and radio abandoned news a decade ago. That leaves communities without coverage. Forced to live without vigorous local and state coverage, citizens must find other ways to get news or they are left in the dark. They also need to hear all sides of public debates to make informed decisions on who to vote for and what issues to support.

That’s where technology really becomes a game-changer. Now all citizens can gather and publish news. They can report, write and record to feed traditional media, Blogs, other websites or their own. For the first time in history, average citizens have the power to control information flow.

All we have to do is use it.

President Obama was right when he clearly stated that America thrives when “each of us stays informed and engaged” through technology instead of merely distracted and entertained by it.

The President must repeat that message often. But please add a paragraph reminding Americans we now can be a lot more than consumers of news. Now all citizens can produce news which will hold “our government accountable,” and fulfill “the obligations of citizenship.”

Jason Stverak is the President of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, a leading journalism non-profit organization. The Franklin Center is dedicated to providing investigative reporters and non-profit organizations at the state and local level with training, expertise, and technical support. For more information on the Franklin Center please visit www.FranklinCenterHQ.org.