Freedom of Press

A lot of things have to go right for a society to function in a free and prosperous state. Looking at the world around us, we find that very few besides citizens of the U.S. ever have an opportunity to enjoy freedom. Syria is in chaos, Egypt's government is in the midst of an overthrow, and Russia's president continues to oppress while doing stuff like this. 

It's at these times that the brilliance of liberty illuminates the brightest against the dark backdrop of tyranny. But America must take steps to assure that the freedoms of speech, religion, and the press-- freedoms that are either warred over or suppressed almost everywhere else in the world--cannot be diluted away. That's why last classes' discussion on freedom of the press is so vital for journalists to understand. Freedom of the press enhances and enables freedom of speech and religion, while checking corruption and tyranny.

The media serves as a watchdog against governmental and institutional abuse. It's role is so important that many refer to as "the fourth estate," making sure that the House, Senate and President are all in line. Which makes the timing of this lecture even more valid in view of the recent government scandals that continue to pop out like weeds. Take a look at the controversies that have occurred within the past year alone:

• The Benghazi debacle: Washington doesn't respond to a terrorist attack that kills four Americans, then heaps the blame upon an anti-Muhammad video created by a California man, despite having knowledge otherwise.

• The IRS scandal: The agency knowingly targets and audits Democratic opponents, including members of the Tea Party.        

• The NSA controversy: The agency is accused of collecting millions of American's phone records and emails.

• The AP tapped records scandal: The Justice Department secretly collects two months worth of Associated Press reporters' phone records.

• The Dennis Rodman Kim Jong Ul scandal: The basketball star-turned-ambassador murders the North Korean dictator at a charity basketball event, leading nation-wide governmental confusion which results with Rodman being appointed as the first king of North Korea. (OK, this one really didn't happen, but I would only be half surprised if it did).

The nation now more than ever needs a media that is fearless in investigating and taking down government corruption. American values cannot allow anyone's freedom of thought and speech to be audited by the IRS, or spied upon by big-brother agencies. Infringement upon personal rights must be investigated, reported, and condemned by the media. After all, if the media doesn't do it, who will?