This paper outlines what a “full stack” approach to new public media might look like. The “full stack” involves all the layers in communicating information, from production through distribution. In considering what a reinvigorated infrastructure for civic information might look like, the paper asks anew what have always been questions for media policy: How can community anchor institutions like libraries and universities participate? How can we ensure robust and resilient physical infrastructure everywhere? What technical and regulatory protocols will free citizens from exploitative commercial control? How can we support accurate, high-quality content that the market does not produce?
The United States needs to invest in a new digital public sphere—a new civic infrastructure—if it hopes to sustain democratic practice and informed participation.
Source: A “Full Stack” Approach to Public Media in the United States; German Marshall Fund (2021)
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Fortunately, U.S. communities already possess key assets to help support local democracy. Anchor institu–tions such as libraries, universities, community centers, public broadcasters, and public access stations provide a vital basis for nurturing civic participation. But they need retooling and new company to play a more significant role in the democratic process. Legal scholar Jonathan Zittrain has suggested that another kind of community institution—the jury—could rebuild trust in online platform content moderation.55 Library scholar Barbara Alvarez sees an enhanced role for libraries in battling disinformation campaigns as “Because of their unique positions as partners, educators, and community champions, librarians have an opportunity to teach information and media literacy.”
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com. Gary is also the co-founder of infoDJ an innovation research consultancy supporting corporate product and business model teams with just-in-time fact and insight finding.
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