Reed Hundt, above, former chairman of the FCC, is among the leaders interviewed for “The Digital Revolution & Democracy.” 

The 21st Century’s digital explosion of information and interactivity floods our lives with new media and new opportunity. Yet we know this digital renaissance isn’t serving communities equally or democracy fully. And we don’t know whether we can get from the patchwork present to a better future.

The Digital Revolution and Democracy, a series of idea-inspiring videos over the next few weeks on KnightBlog, examines the fast-moving trends transforming our lives. From Arab Spring to the Digital Divide, from the promise to the peril of these new tools, we talk with thought leaders who are shaping the future of media and democracy. Follow along as foundation vice president Dennis Scholl interviews 17 people who believe passionately in self-government — but have different visions of how it will evolve.

You’ll see Madeline Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State; Wael Abbas, the Egyptian blogger persecuted for telling the truth; Steven Clift, founder of e-Democracy.org; Craig Dubow, CEO of Gannett, the largest newspaper company in America; media policy-maker Reed Hundt — and a dozen other trailblazers and frontrunners.

The Digital Revolution and Democracy interviewees shared their insights this year at the Aspen Institute’s 2011 Forum on Communications and Society. If their thoughts spur yours, join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #infoneeds. The interviews will be archived at www.knightfoundation.org/focas.