News comes out constantly. It can be aggravating for some and inspiring for others. We see forms of it littered across all media platforms, including social media outlets like TikTok. While there is an overwhelming amount of news in our polarized country, we must value and utilize multiple, ethical news sources to help our country’s democracy function properly.
Banning the Associated Press from the White House press pool, defunding National Public Radio and defaming news organizations are all attacks on our First Amendment Right to a free press. In a time where information is warped by social media outlets and powerful figures posing as professionals, it is crucial to support and protect news organizations.
Without journalism, America would not be America. There would be no one to call out the atrocities or mistakes people make. There would be no unbiased source of information. The American people would only know what others tell them. The world would be disconnected.
This country is founded on the values of freedom. Our Constitution states the right and importance of a free press. Yes, things change, but this should not.
It is simply impossible to have democracy without a free press. Journalism provides a balance of power between the American people and the ones in charge, in order to be a beacon of truth and provide a platform for people to express concerns. According to an article from the National Civic League, journalists play a critical role by helping people responsibly self-govern using facts. Without these watchdogs of society, there would be no way we could receive the truth and therefore no way we could effectively contribute to democracy.
We are not naive, however. Many news sites claim legitimacy, abuse their status and mislead the people who follow them. Be cautious of this. Biased news organizations manipulate their following and pile disinformation onto the already confused country. Uninformed influencers tap record on their livestreams as they pretend their opinions are facts, feeding the wildfire of propaganda. These events not only spread false information, but they also harm the perception of the press as a whole, leading people to question and scorn journalism.
Ethical journalism is what we should all value and seek, and unfortunately is something we have to examine and not expect. We all need to look across multiple, verified news sources to form an accurate and informed opinion. While this is more effort from us, the reader, it is incredibly important that we are accurately informed.
Knowledge is power, and fearless journalists and honest news organizations deliver this power to the people. It is our choice to decide where we get that information and how to use it.
While The Express might be small, we are committed to providing unbiased coverage about issues and people who matter in our community. Our newsroom is full of editors, staff members and advisors who work tirelessly to produce and teach honest, factual storytelling. We strive to be the example of news organizations that students and staff follow, in the hope that we will all begin appreciating the work they do. We must consume information mindfully and protect the press that delivers it to us.
