Nicholas Johnson is a native Iowan and retired University of Iowa law professor who served two appointed positions under the Johnson administration, including a seven-year term as the Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commissioner between in the late 60s and early 70s.
Johnson is also an accomplished editorial writer. In this segment of River to River, host Ben Kieffer talks with Johnson about his latest collection of editorial writings called "Columns of Democracy."
The book explores what Johnson considers to be the first pillars of our democratic system: a free and independent media, education, the judiciary, voting, and libraries. Through his series of editorials, Johnson explores the valuable role each “column” plays in a healthy democracy, and provides suggestions for increasing the sustainability of the U.S. democratic system.
