Our founding fathers could not have foreseen that freedom of the press might eventually be threatened just as much by media consolidation as by government.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The freedom of the press works in such a way that there is not much freedom from it.
A free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad.
Freedom of the press is not an end in itself but a means to the end of achieving a free society.
I don't think that there is absolute freedom of the press. We operate under laws - against libel, for instance. The idea that there is some absolute press freedom is kind of a myth.
When freedom of the press is threatened, the United States should be leading efforts to protect it.
As Americans, we rightfully place tremendous value on having a free and independent press. Our role as journalists is to give voice to the voiceless, and hold our leaders and institutions accountable. But the circle is only completed when that information is consumed by a free-thinking and engaged audience.
What I'm thinking about more and more these days is simply the importance of transparency, and Jefferson's saying that he'd rather have a free press without a government than a government without a free press.
A free press is the cornerstone of democracy; there is no question about that.
The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to bare the secrets of government and inform the people.
Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.