Before the American Revolution, the Crown subjected the colonies to a limited press. Due to this, the British government censored newspapers and prohibited publishing unfavorable material and opinions. Despite an ocean between them, England held libel cases in America over published views.
Under the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights, Virginia became the first state to protect the rights of the press. Believing a free press was fundamental to liberty and restraining government, James Madison mimicked this Virginian right in drafting the First Amendment.
Protected Press
The free press clause still allows Americans to keep informed on the workings of the government. Responsible citizens remain freely able to criticize the government assuming no deliberate lies exist.
Protection from government censorship extends to:
- Newspapers
- Books
- Magazines
- Movie scripts
- Television scripts
- Radio
- Various electronic platforms
Turbulent Times
Freedom of the press is not universal with only 13% of the world’s population following America’s lead to guarantee this perk. Interestingly, several countries presently allow greater free press than the United States due to several court rulings in favor of the U.S. government. Private companies still reserve the right to censor the material published in their respective publications. Publicly funded publications must ensure First Amendment rights. Political correctness and self-censoring are extensions of respect generally held within this category, but are, by no means, a requirement. In modern society, words spread faster than ever with few willing to take responsibility for their meaning.
Matters of national security create enormous challenges to a free press. The Supreme Court ruling regarding the Pentagon Papers, which exposed that several Presidents misled the populace on Vietnam War involvement, favored the newspapers and prevented further censorship. However, in other circumstances, Edward Snowden leaked CIA documents, stirring a global debate. Snowden ultimately labeled a traitor by some and whistleblowing, champion of freedom by others.
Conspiracy theories and alternative news outlets challenge the status quo and mainstream media outlets. “Fake News” despite a more significant meaning has become synonymous with reporting on what the government does not agree with. This definition is absolute misinformation and misunderstanding and is giving the Fake News movement a bad name. Some argue that the terminology, fake news, insults and discourages the presses efforts. I formally challenge this, a handful of outlets control the vast majority of today’s reporting. The increasingly opinionated mainstream media outlets often publish skewed information before thoroughly vetting. As with all aspects of free speech, we as individuals, have the right to challenge reports.
Fun Fact
Published between 1720 and 1723, Cato’s Letters by John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon (using Cato, a late Roman Republic statesman, as an alias) called out the British government for corruption and tyranny. The American colonies often quoted these essays believing the ideas to be politically revolutionary.
In today’s journalism, freedom of press implies freedom of indoctrination. The question becomes, is deception an infringement upon one’s “unalienable Rights.” That is, when one comes to know they have been deceived, the result is typically the pursuit of distress and not one in “the pursuit of Happiness.”
Thanks for the insight Mike. Interesting video you shared as well. I do agree today’s journalism closely resembles indoctrination especially in the mainstream media. In a coming article, due out in a few weeks, I dig a bit deeper into this topic.