Those skirmishes will light up an ever-expanding American media universe, as 2013 saw citizen-journalism surge across a plethora of social-media platforms and new voices emerge in the traditional media landscape.

The message, if there is one, in our 2013 news roundup, is this: America’s ability to repair and renew itself rests, as ever, on the democratic spirit that burns within its citizenry.

The energy, engagement, sense of justice and spirit of community in tackling the country’s problems is what we most look forward to reporting on in 2014.