Northwestern's Rich Gordon wrote about the February meeting on Information Needs with Knight Foundation

Now Putnam is back with even more troubling findings: The more diverse a community is in race and ethnicity, the less trust there is among members of that community and the weaker the bonds are that connect people to one another. Based on interviews with more than 30,000 people and research conducted in 41 different communities in the United States, Putnam and his colleagues found that increased racial and ethnic diversity seems to translate into: * Lower confidence in local government, local leaders and the local news media. * Lower confidence that people can influence politics. * Lower frequency of registering to vote, but more interest and knowledge about politics and more participation in protest marches and social reform groups. * Less expectation that others will cooperate to solve "dilemmas of collective action" (for instance, conserving water in a drought). * Less likelihood of working on a community project. * Lower likelihood of giving to charity or volunteering. * Fewer close friends and confidants. * Less happiness and lower perceived quality of life. * More time spent watching television and more agreement that 'television is my most important form of entertainment'. The findings are all the more powerful because Putnam, whom I heard speak last week about his work, clearly is uncomfortable with what his research found.

Putnam's research ought to be a clarion call for citizens, journalists and media companies in cities, towns and neighborhoods across the United States. "Bowling Alone" made clear that declines in social capital were harming both communities and their local media. The new research reinforces the need, especially in our most diverse communities, to build new ways for people to connect with one another. It seems clear that journalists and media organizations have a role to play in the process - and that online community-building may be at least part of the solution.