By Dr. David Childs, Ph.D.
Northern Kentucky University
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Introduction
From the dawn of the United States of America with the creation of the three branches of the government, journalists and news reporters have played the role of informing the people and holding political leaders accountable. The First Amendment that offers “freedom of speech and of the press” has been the aspect of the American constitution that has long empowered journalist to speak the truth, even if they are under duress and in harm’s way. Since the inception of the United States there has been conflict and tension between the press and governmental officials. In this way, Patrick D’Arcy (Editorial Manager of the TED Fellows program) states that “US history has been marked by an ongoing conflict between the government’s attempts to strengthen and protect itself and the press’s attempts to scrutinize and report on the government.” Part of the United State’s success as a democracy is owed to the country having a free press. D’Arcy also points out that “some of the most important voices before and during the American Revolution were anonymous pamphleteers who were writing under pseudonyms, talking about the crimes of the British government… speeches, pamphlets and newspapers” during the revolution “were critical in informing and galvanizing public support for the revolt.”
Why Freedom of the Press is More Important Now Than Ever
Attacks on Journalists and the Press
The past few decades have seen ever growing attacks on US journalists and members of the press. These attacks are seemingly coming to a crescendo under the Trump administration. Information from the press has been consistently characterized as unreliable sources of information. However, this trend and growing disdain for journalist and the news media is not just relegated to the US, but has a world-wide phenomenon. Freedom House -A US-based non-profit independent watchdog group that has monitored attacks on freedom and democracy around the world for over three quarters of a century, stated that when freedom of the press is threatened it is “a threat to democracies.”
Attacks on the Records: The State of Global Press Freedom, 2017-2018
Because of much of the rhetoric hurled at the news media and the daily social media discourse disparaging journalists, there seems to be a growing public distrust of the news media and journalism. The term “fake news” has become a phrase that is used to discredit the validity of information coming from journalists and news outlets such as CNN, NPR, the Washington Post, The BBC News and the New York Times. Jim Rutenberg stated in an October 2018 New York Times article, that the term “fake news,” was coined by the Trump administration and casts all journalists (Accept those that agree with him) as the “enemy of the people.” This was a “negative branding campaign” that was aimed “against those who would hold him accountable” for his actions as the President of the United States. With many journalists and reporters being constantly under attack it is important to examine the critical role that the press plays in a democracy. The importance of the press and journalists in a democracy to keep the public informed and hold government officials accountable cannot be overstated.
The attacks on the news media has weakened the public’s faith in the press as a valid source of information. Rutenberg stated “By one measure, a CBS News poll over the summer, 91 percent of strong Trump supporters trust him to provide accurate information; 11 percent said the same about the news media.” This conversation becomes much more important and sinister when we are reminded that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi –who wrote a column regularly for the Washington Post, was killed by his government for being outspoken against the Saudi government. Read Jamal Khashoggi’s columns for The Washington Post
The Saudis then tried to cover it up and President Trump was very reluctant to condemn their government until he was backed into a corner when presented with overwhelming evidence.
Maybe He Did, Maybe He Didn’t’: Trump Defends Saudis, Downplays U.S. Intel
Importance of Free Press in a Democracy
Lawyer and free press advocate Trevor Timm states that “an independent press is one of the essential pillars of a democracy.” He also goes on to say that the First Amendment and its protection of the press “has always been the bulwark against secret government, against authoritarianism and against tyranny. The concept of a free press was intentionally and deliberately written into the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to preserve freedom of the people. The amendment was of grave importance in the eighteenth century during its inception, and is just as important now. The press is often thought of as a “fourth branch of government” because it also helps balance power in the government. Without that fourth branch the concept of a democratic system of government starts to weaken and after a while the democracy would crumble. We have examined the key role the press can play in a democracy. Below are some questions that may spark a meaningful classroom conversation.
Questions for Discussion
What role does the press play in your life?
Do you think there should be checks on the press like there are on the government?
Discuss how the idea of censorship can destroy a democracy.
Why is it critical for students to understand the importance of the First Amendment and Freedom of the Press?
How might a free press be related to the idea of critical thinking?
References
Why Freedom of the Press is More Important Now Than Ever
https://ideas.ted.com/why-freedom-of-the-press-is-more-important-now-than-ever/On World Press Freedom
Day, Brookings Experts Reflect on the Importance of a Free Press
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2018/05/02/on-world-press-freedom-day-brookings-experts-reflect-on-the-importance-of-a-free-press/
Trump’s Attacks on the News Media Are Working
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/28/business/media/trumps-attacks-news-media.html
To address the discussion prompt, “Discuss how the idea of censorship can destroy a democracy”.
Censorship, simply put, is the suppression of speech or public communication on the basis that the material is considered harmful as determined by the government. Democracy is a system where we get to exercise the power to choose, be an active participant, vote and elect. If we were to censor everything that allows for citizens to choose and be active participants, then we would be destroying the rule of law. The U.S. Constitution intentionally includes free press to give people the freedom to express, and without that, there wouldn’t be any balance to power. Because the main media outlets are all controlled by the same company, if they were to be crippled and self-censored, it would ultimately threaten democracy.
While freedom of the press is entirely essential to our democracy, I believe the press is in need of a system of checks. As mentioned in the article, there has recently been a growing trend of attacks on the press, especially with the coining of the term “fake news”. This makes people question the sincerity of the reports from both ends, and leaves people picking sides based on views and opinions rather than facts. Having this “fourth branch of government” helps balance power among the rest of the government, however it will not be successful if people are questioning the legitimacy of the news reported.
The press plays a monumental part in everyone’s life, it is how we access information and news that we cannot see first hand, and it is a major agent for the spread of theories, ideas and ideologies. Furthermore the press has a pivotal role in the government as it acts as a watchdog meant to keep politicians in line and their goal on the american people. While news and press bias are a very valid and dangerous concern, the larger concern is that the people might lose faith and trust in the press. This trust in the press should not have limitless boundaries. Due to the bias and the corruption of any institution including the press we must regard all new information with skepticism, checking the facts and recognizing the author’s bias and intentions. In sort we must use critical thinking and critical theory to vet all new information regardless of its source.
A free press is one of the most important parts of a democracy. I do not see it wrong in any way to criticize news outlets or journalists when they are being deceptive, biased, or flat out lying. I believe the press’s job is to keep the government in check and the people’s job is to keep the press in check. I think it is also important to note than often times, news outlets slander/attack other news outlets and sometimes even call each other fake news due to differing political stances (see interactions between Breitbart, Fox, Daily Wire vs CNN, MSMBC, CBS, etc.). The press in America is arguably freer now than under the Obama years (Obama spied and prosecuted journalists), but no one ever talks about that seemingly. Nevertheless, the press should be respected and revered, but to many Americans, the press needs to earn back their trust and respect. To do that, both sides need to turn down their rhetoric and try to turn down their bias.
To answer one of the following discussion questions above, the press plays a huge roll in not only my life, but society in its entirety. The press is important because it allows everyone to attain knowledge of their local community including national and world news. The press is able to inform people of events happening almost minutes after they occur. The press also helps people know what future events may occur so that they can prepare for a solution that works best for them. The press is an efficient platform to communicate with people about different events occuring and in a timely fashion.
The purpose of journalism and the press, in my opinion, is to keep readers/viewer informed on whatever topic is being discussed. However, I don’t think the press is very thorough in making sure we the public has all of the information or “truth” in order to form their own opinions. Every human being is susceptible to influence of opinion. The press and journalism can be great ways to stay in the know with society, but your perception of society can be swayed by the press that you choose to listen to. Even in recent events, a 2-minute clip of a video was released, sparking a huge nationwide uproar. But, after all of these opinions were formed on the matter, someone released the full 45-minute clip that then cause many platforms to retract their statements because they were not aware of the full “truth” of the matter. This is an unfortunate reality about press and journalism. There will never be an unbiased “truth” just different forms of perception appearing to be reality.
The press and media have been able to inform readers and their audiences on the negligence and disrespect many of our Americans have caused in today’s society. It has brought social justice to those who have harmed others and it been the very light of our country. Someone once told me all stories won’t sell, but all stories are powerful enough to change lives. I don’t feel that there should be a strict policy as to how the media should portray someone’s actions or emotions. In fact we as Americans should not be confined to speak out against something we see as false or incorrect. If there was censorship it wouldn’t allow the media to show exactly what their audience needs to see and appeal to. It would not show cultural diversity and that there is a current problem with how society is interacting with one another.
The press plays a role in my life by informing me on the day to day news. Media plays a huge role on what we see happening in our country and the cities around us. I personally do not think that there should be checks on the press because I believe information can become falsified. Censorship can overall destroy a democracy because by taking away certain parts of something such a media or even the press, this shows that someones voice was not being heard. Students need to know the importance of the press and the first amendment because it is our voices that need to be heard. If we are not informed of the matter, we cannot use our voice. Free press is related to critical thinking because you must use your ideas and your way of thinking to inform or persuade others.
The press plays a huge role in my life every single day. The press always plays a role in society. It informs, educates and even entertains people. The press influences the way that we look at the whole world and sometimes, makes us change our views or perspectives. The media plays a huge role in deciding what the publics opinion will be.
The press plays a huge role in everyone’s lives. I think that the press is very important because they keep us updated on events and certain things going on around us. I think that the freedom of the press is important, although sometimes it can be hard to know if something is actually true. I think that there should be checks on the media because we should be able to trust what information is being given to us. I think having the right to write what you want is important, but I also think we have the right to correct information.