Steven Clift, Founder and Executive Director, E-Democracy.org

This post is part of “The Digital Revolution and Democracy” series. For more information on the series, read “Digital Democracy: A More Perfect Union“.

What technology is used to influence the media, the public and democracy? What tools will people use to defend against propaganda and find content that can help them navigate and manage their community? And will people be powerless against high-tech manipulation?

“You have to realize that when you roll up your sleeves, you can shape democracy,” says Steven Clift, founder and executive director of E-Democracy.org and an online strategist focused on the use of the Internet in democracy, governance and community.

“It isn’t just about using the technologies neutrally, though, you have to use them with intent,” he says. “People can have a voice, people can solve problems. Governments can provide more information. But unless people bring their democratic intent to it, it doesn’t measure up.”

Knight Foundation’s interview with Clift is the first of 17 to be published on KnightBlog as part of “The Digital Revolution and Democracy,” a series of idea-inspiring videos that examine the ever-evolving trends transforming our lives. From the 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 leaders who believe passionately in self-government — but have different visions of how it will evolve.

“Utimately those who have power know how to use these tools, and they are using it to divide us, and put red meat out there, and raise a lot of money and win elections, and that’s great for them,” he continues. “But for most Americans,  most people, we’re not actually getting the empowerment we could get from this technology if we used it in ways that would benefit democracy.”