Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of American democracy. A professional, free media reports facts and does analysis about our government and key issues that are important to the American people. This fact-based approach provides reliable information that equips citizens to make decisions as they vote, advocate, engage their elected officials, and participate actively in a democratic society. Without this fact-based information, citizens are unlikely to have all of the knowledge needed to engage fully in their democracy.
The protection of press freedom is enshrined in the First Amendment. Our Founding Fathers knew the dangers of limiting press freedom. They knew that the press plays an important role in informing citizens, tracking government actions, and ensuring there is not undue and unchecked government behavior. The British Government sought to limit a free press, knowing that the media could shine a light on British tyranny and could equip the colonists with the information they needed to fight for their rights. Thomas Jefferson knew that the very freedom of our nascent nation was tied to this freedom, noting that “our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”
Journalists bear an important responsibility. Their reporting should be fact based and nonpartisan. It should seek to report the facts about government and societal developments fairly and accurately, not seeking to lead the reader in one direction or another. It should report factually on leaders, regardless of party, ideology, background, or interests.
Our government holds an important responsibility to ensure that a free press can operate without undue government influence. The First Amendment prohibits Congress from making a law “abridging the freedom of … the press”. Our government should not limit the press even if the media are investigation officials’ conduct. Likewise, our government should treat all journalists equally and fairly, with respect for the vital job they perform. President Bush recognized the vital role of a free press, stating the media is “indispensable to our democracy”.
As citizens, we have an important role to play. We must advocate that our government uphold and protect freedom of the press. We must protect the freedom of fact-based, reliable media outlets to report. And we should consume quality, fact-based media, not just what we’d like to hear but that which will allow us to be knowledgeable enough to participate responsibly in our democracy.
Democracy is a verb. Let us all work to protect freedom of the press and to use the knowledge we gain from a free press to make our democracy stronger.
Follow the George W Bush Institute’s Democracy is a Verb series
Links to Other Content
- George W. Bush: Free Press ‘Indispensable to Democracy’
- Forum on Leadership Panel on Restoring Trust in Media
- Support for global free press – Kaitlyn McClew
- Five recs on World Press Freedom Day – William Mckenzie
- Threats to media freedom and self-expression undermine democratic stability – William McKenzie
- The Struggle for Freedom series?
- Highlights several journalists functioning in oppressive regimes
- Joint call with Freedom House, McCain institute declaring democratic principles
- Independent Journalism – podcast, the strategerist
