The Importance of Freedom of Press

Freedom of press is seen in the news on a regular basis, belaying its importance to American culture. It seems to have spread to other countries, but there have been times in Modern America where freedom of the press was in doubt

It's a story that is not told enough, though many history books will provide a thorough analysis of the development of a free press.

What it amounts to is doubling the effectiveness of the freedom of speech amendment. Not only can someone say what they want, but they can publish there opinion in a variety of places. This can easily be seen in the controversy in Iraq: Many papers point to all the errors, the failures of the Bush presidency-and this would have been a death sentence in certain countries even now, but is noted most in history. If a writer would have written a peace up on Hitler and his lies, said writer would be lucky to keep his life if anyone published it.

Even in modern times certain countries screen all press coverage, like in China. The United States set a mandate for freedoms and, though it has spread, there appears to be a backlash against it even here. Is it proper to publish a story on a CIA agent or advance knowledge of a military offensive? History tells us some presidents have done much to stop such stories from seeing print; but there is a fine line about making a polite call and ordering an execution. It is doubtful people in China people would be killed for expressing their beliefs today, but in the past the Chinese government has taken strict action against student protestors and other anti-government bodies.

People in the states seem to believe that, in order to keep their safety, some things in the press should be left out. Whether this is a majority opinion or not, free press is free press, but if lives are lost in a time of war over a story, perhaps the real question is on the writer's character, not their allegiance.

There is no stark way to fight against a tyrannical government, or to deal with one that allows freedom. There is also something to be said for not changing a system that has worked for several centuries.

Writing about war and government protests is a serious business. It would not even reach the internet in China, but could spread across the country here in the U.S.

In the final analysis, the main point is questions are being asked; as long as the questions continue to be asked, the importance of a free press will not be undervalued.