Civic Register
| 10.18.17

What Is The Importance of a Free Press?

Join us and tell your reps how you feel!

What’s the story?

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution safeguards the public’s right to a free press, but why? Why does a free press matter? Is the press currently living up to its public obligations? If not, what could the press be doing better?

Why does it matter?

Amendment 1: "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."

Why did the Founding Fathers include the press? The Heritage Foundation points to a quote from the Appeal to the Inhabitants of Quebec, written by the First Continental Congress in 1774 which implies that a free press is a necessary check on the government and the behaviors of politicians:

"The last right we shall mention regards the freedom of the press. The importance of this consists, besides the advancement of truth, science, morality, and arts in general, in its diffusion of liberal sentiments on the administration of Government, its ready communication of thoughts between subjects, and its consequential promotion of union among them, whereby oppressive officers are shamed or intimidated into more honorable and just modes of conducting affairs.”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) echoes that sentiment, referring to the press as a ‘watchdog’, as well as a place to share and encounter ideas:

"The freedom of the press, protected by the First Amendment, is critical to a democracy in which the government is accountable to the people. A free media functions as a watchdog that can investigate and report on government wrongdoing. It is also a vibrant marketplace of ideas, a vehicle for ordinary citizens to express themselves and gain exposure to a wide range of information and opinions.”

And yet, the recent rise of fake news complicates the matter. Not because it removes the central reason to have a free press, but because it makes it hard for citizens to figure out what is real and what is not. When citizens begin to doubt the accuracy of the press, the watchdog can get leashed, as President Donald Trump has suggested in recent days by calling for the revocation of broadcast licenses for news organizations that advance fake news.

What do you think?

Is a free press important to you? To democracy? Are you concerned about the rise of fake news, either because it makes you doubt the press or because it causes you to fear that the press will be restricted? What, if anything, could the press be doing to protect public trust?

Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!

— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: Jeff Djevdet via Flickr / Creative Commons )

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