CHARLES KOCH FOUNDATION: Statement from Brian Hooks, President, Charles Koch Foundation

Charles Koch Foundation issued the following announcement on April 9.

“We’re proud to join the Hewlett Foundation, Knight Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Democracy Fund, Omidyar Network, Arnold Foundation, and Facebook in supporting independent scholarship that addresses the urgent and profound questions regarding technology’s role in civic discourse, the open exchange of ideas, and other hallmarks of a liberal democracy, here and around the world. These questions, like others addressing some of the most pressing issues of our day, will benefit from open inquiry and academic exploration.”

Read the project announcement here.

Background

This builds on our body of work in this area and grants we have supported with many of the partners we join today. The Charles Koch Foundation supports students, scholars, and organizations across the country to enhance an understanding of the design, structure, rights, and obligations of digital forums to enable an open exchange of ideas and social progress.

Related work includes commitments to the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and its scholars’ work to explore the legal implications of rapid advances in technology. We also join with the Newseum Institute and the Center for Democracy & Technology in exploring issues around free speech online today, as well as supporting hundreds of scholars around the country. To learn more, visit our request for proposals.

Original source can be found here.