Why Does Democracy Need Journalism and the First Amendment?

Why does a democracy need journalism and the First Amendment?

“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”-Thomas Jefferson

Journalism can be defined by the act of informing and reporting information to the public. Freedom of press and speech is our First Amendment to the United States Constitution as Americans.  Democracy single-handedly plays a distinct role in journalism because it allows us to choose how we interpret information based on our own values and principles.

A democracy is “for the people, by the people” and journalism provides a means of hope by supplying unfettered communication through a wide range of facts and analysis to the people. The First Amendment entitles us to the freedom of speech that journalism demonstrates through various forms of mass media. Newspapers, internet, radio, and television express opinions and views of the world on a global scale. 

Free speech without a democracy could give power to the elite to change the laws and alter or forbid the right to speak freely without censorship. Our First Amendment protects the people’s voice; journalists in a free democracy are able to unveil the wrongs of a corrupt government whereas other political systems could silence reporters and eliminate their freedom of speech.

Journalism is a voice of information including hard facts, documented proof, awareness and sometimes even judgment. A free press and free expression are fundamental to the maintenance of liberty. To sustain a successful democracy, we need the open voice of journalism to speak to the people, about the people, for the people and to inform our community for the well-being of all.

Democracy needs journalism and the First Amendment because it directly correlates with communication, the right to speak freely without censorship and unveils and protects society from corruption. Freedom of speech allows individuals and groups to express differing views to be heard, even those that most Americans find horrendous, such as those opinions given by terrorists, racists and extremists.   As an American I will defend their right to speak freely but I will also reserve my right not to listen.

Q&A

On Journalism

1.      Now tell me again, what is your definition of journalism?

      Journalism is defined by the act of informing and reporting information to the public.

2.      How many different models of journalism exist today?  

      The four models of journalism today are traditional elite, advocacy, civil or public and web 2.0. These are established a variety of ways including, newspapers, radio, internet, magazines and television.

On Democracy

3.      What is your definition of democracy? 

      A democracy is “for the people, by the people” and a form of government that is exercised by the citizens to create, abolish or maintain public policy ruled by the majority.

4.      What is the difference between “election politics” and “public politics?" 

      Election politics refers to the campaign involved in creating recognition for a political official running for a position of power; and focuses on pandering issues to specific demographics to influence votes. Public politics is where the public expresses views and preference for changes in their community.

5.      What was the Lippmann v. Dewey debate?

      A debate that initiated in 1922 when Walter Lippman claimed that a journalists’ role was to inform the public as a intermediary to help them understand issues in politics that he considered to be too “complicated” for the public to interpret on their own. In contrast, John Dewey felt that the public was capable of interpreting such issues and strongly advocated that the public has a right to be informed without a middleman and public decisions should be made after debate and discussion.

On the First Amendment

6.      What does the First Amendment say exactly? 

      The First Amendment states, “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.”

7.      Are any of those protections important in your life? All of these protections have a substantial role in my life. I consistently exercise my freedom of speech, and with a future career in journalism, these rights, and the rights of others, are especially relevant for me.

On Diversity

8.      Everybody keeps talking about diversity: Why is diversity in religion, speech, press, assembly and petition so important to a democracy? 

      Diversity is what makes our country the United States of America. It unites various cultures, demographics and religions so we can all come together and vote as a collective unit to form a government for all people. Democracy allows all Americans to have a voice to be heard and diversity only proves that it is not just a specific race, religion or gender—everyone has the equal right to support or defy any decisions they feel passionate about.  

9.      How do journalists and the First Amendment ensure that people hear diverse voices in the marketplace of ideas?

      It is a successful journalist’s job to report unbiased information to the public without catering to a particular idea or notion, so that diverse voices are heard in their reporting. A journalist should be certain to apply assorted perceptions and opinions of others (not themselves) in their report so diversity is acknowledged.

10.   Can you speak from personal experience about how diversity, protected by the First Amendment or championed by journalists, made a difference in your life?

      I have been fortunate to experience a fair amount of diversity; and I appreciate all journalists who are brave enough to report from a dangerous location in order to inform us all of what is happening in our community, nation and the world around us.