I must admit that I get very upset and frustrated with the press. I get angry and yell at the television and at various articles. I question why people who are allegedly so intelligent could be so biased or wrong. I know nobody else has ever felt that way about today’s media, right? A quick review of the internet, facebook and social media and you will quickly find that the press is criticized just as much as our favorite targets, the three branches of government. Nevertheless, the press is vital to our free system of government.
Our revolution was successful, in part, because of the success of the press. Thomas Paine and “Common Sense” caused a rush of revolution fever. It described, in everyday terms, why a separation was necessary. Some of the important characters of the revolution used the press and were pressmen themselves–most notably Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. Jay, Hamilton and Madison wrote the Federalist Papers to convince the people of the need for our new constitution.
In today’s world, we all get frustrated by what we call the bias of the press. However, the freedom of the press is absolutely vital to maintaining our Republican government. In a system where the people are “in charge” the press is a necessary weapon of education and information. Despite our frustrations, what would America look like without a free press? Even considering what many believe to be liberal bias, where would we be on the breaking of the IRS scandal rocking Washington right now without a free press. The press serves as a great check and balance against the tendency of all men who seek power. That is why this “fourth branch of government” is constitutionally protected in the 1st Amendment. It was so important to our founders to have a free press that it was included in the very first amendment.
So the next time you find yourself yelling at the TV or cursing the media bias, keep in mind that much of our freedom is dependent on the freedom of the press. Every one of us, conservative and liberal, should strive to protect this very foundational freedom that ensures the proper checks and balances on our government. Sure, there are times that the press doesn’t go far enough. Sure, there are times when the press goes too far. Just imagine, however, a life without a free press. A life with only state run media. Maybe if we all reflected a bit more on that we would be more apt to accept Voltaire’s admonition that I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
Until Next Time,
David A. Standridge