Can Zuckerberg Save Journalism -- Or Democracy?

Journalism requires the full, accurate search for truth, regardless of how it’s packaged or on what platform it’s presented.
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Driving through Alabama on Presidents Day, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg swung by the newsroom of the Selma Times-Journal. In a post to his 86 million followers Monday night, he thanked journalists for their efforts to “surface truth” and “keep their communities informed.”

Zuckerberg’s post comes on the heels of his nearly 6,000-word manifesto that offered an ambitious vision for Facebook’s global role. It’s an important declaration of principles that can help restore trust in news and information delivered on digital platforms. The statement implies a responsibility to share benefits with producers of content, acknowledges the importance of accurate information and seeks to engage communities in civil discourse. This welcome change of direction couldn’t come at a more critical time.

As Zuckerberg knows, democracy requires an informed electorate with the ability to separate fact from fiction. But that’s never been more difficult. More on CNN.com

Alberto Ibargüen is president and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

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