What's the Way Forward for Quality Media in America? | 2026 Common Sense Summit

Why It Matters

Regulatory shifts and funding gaps threaten trusted media and safe educational content, jeopardizing informed citizenship and children’s development.

Key Takeaways

• FCC's new chair weaponizes First Amendment against major broadcasters.
• Media consolidation threatens trust in legacy news and children's content.
• Local news identified as most trusted source amid national media decline.
• Tech innovators urged to create AI‑driven quality controls for kids.
• Sustainable funding models needed to revive public‑media institutions.

Summary

The 2026 Common Sense Summit panel tackled the future of quality media in America, focusing on the FCC’s aggressive posture, growing politicization, and the survival of public‑media institutions.

Former FCC chair warned that four petitions targeting ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox aim to weaponize the First Amendment, and his successor Brentton Carr’s decision to reopen them raises fears of a lasting precedent. Panelists highlighted media consolidation, plummeting trust in legacy outlets, and the erosion of traditional advertising revenue as digital platforms dominate.

Gary highlighted the irony of revisiting the fairness‑doctrine era, emphasizing the mission‑driven nature of NPR, Sesame Workshop and National Geographic. The former chair cautioned that “history won’t be kind” to those who undermine constitutional protections, while MIT researcher Jessica urged creators to leverage AI and multi‑sensory tech to safeguard content quality.

The discussion suggests policymakers must balance protecting broadcast licenses with new subsidies for local news, while media firms need innovative funding and relevance strategies. Meanwhile, the tech sector is called upon to build tools ensuring child‑safe, accurate content, shaping a healthier democratic information ecosystem.

Original Description

The media ecosystem that has enabled high-quality news and educational programming to flourish over the past century is under threat in America today. Thanks to increased consolidation of corporate media, political intimidation, and the defunding of PBS and NPR, creators of nonpartisan programming once considered neutral and essential now face powerful economic, strategic, and political headwinds. Can the media we've raised our kids on—and that many of us depend on to explain our world and enrich our lives—survive?

Speakers:

Gary Knell, Board Member, Common Sense Media

Jessica Rosenworcel, Executive Director, MIT Media Lab

Dylan Byers, Founding Partner, Puck