Why does a democracy need journalism and the First Amendment?

Democracy is like an eating utensil. You can sit down to the most full and hearty Thanksgiving dinner, ready to indulge in every item of food you can get your hands on. But without the proper utensils, you are left to sit there and just stare at the feast before you.

A democracy, as the defined at Dictionary.com, is “a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people.” In a democracy, the people must make decisions. To make decisions, they need true information, and not only information, but true information. That is where journalism comes in.

Journalism’s prime purpose is to inform people about current events, to give people the information to form their own opinions, and to keep the government in check.

            “Journalism get’s measured by the quality of information it presents,” says American journalist Bob Woodward.

            Information is a key component to a democracy, especially in a government like we have today. Who do we turn to for the information on the hurricane heading straight toward our town? What people do we want answers from when we want to know about the latest bombings in the Middle East? Come election time, where do we turn to learn about our candidates, their policies, and where they stand on issues? Journalism. Take away that and you’re not just going to have a handful of uniformed voters, you’re going to have an uninformed country.

Opinions are one of the more over-looked aspects of journalism in democracy, but it is definitely one of the most important. Of course there are the opinionative articles, feature articles, and blogs that allow journalists to speak their mind, but the real objective is for the citizens of a democratic nation to be provided with information so they can exercise their First Amendment rights too. Without this important piece of the puzzle, journalism just serves as a voice telling people what to think and do.

While the government may be over us, Oscar Wilde, an Irish play write, puts things in perspective. “In America, the President reigns for four years, and Journalism governs forever”.

Journalism may not literally rule over America, but it does posses a very unique role in our democratic totem pole. Cases like the Watergate Scandal and the White House Papers are perfect examples. The government works for us, not the other way around, and the only way to make sure that happens is if we have someone who is always monitoring them. Our government’s leaders, like everyone else, are not perfect, so journalism serves as security to watch over them and every other citizen as well.            

Democracy is an incredible thing, a wonderful meal that should be enjoyed by all. But without journalism, the First Amendment and the proper utensils to allow you to enjoy that meal, you are going to starve.