Why does democracy need Journalism and the First Amendment?

Democracy can be understood as a form of government in which all citizens have an equal say in decisions that directly affect them. This “equal say” in government is represented through an individual’s vote on political issues and elected officials. Elected officials chosen through popular vote represent the wants and needs of their community and in turn promote positive change in the community. The exchange of information between elected officials or representatives and the community in connection to the work being done is crucial. In order for the citizens of an area to make informed decisions, they must be given objective and unbiased information. If the information given to the community comes solely from the politician, it runs the risk of being bias or inaccurate. Although a politician’s primarily motive is to be a voice for its people, maintaining power tends to overrule all others.
To prohibit the corruption and total control of politicians, the First Amendment gives American citizens the freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom of assembly. With these freedoms, citizens are able to speak their minds regardless of content, publish their thoughts in a variety of mediums, and organize collective actions against lies and injustice. In this way, no voice can be silenced but it can be scrutinized.
 Journalism, with support of the First Amendment, provides its citizens with many powerful tools to overcome political corruption. By way of reporting, monitoring, and creating a medium to express personal opinions, journalism reassures citizen that they’re voice is being heard. Through fair reporting and ethical journalistic values, reporters provide citizens with unbiased and the upmost factual information, enabling them to make sound opinions on the state of their community. Monitoring the actions of politicians and the government being another important part of journalism, citizens and journalists can reveal corruption, keeping democracy in check. Furthermore, news mediums give citizens a place to express their grievances and opinions that can reach the entire community.

The practice of honest reporting and ethical journalism with the support of the First Amendment empowers citizens to make informed decisions on important issues in their community and beyond. Without journalism, our nation would be powerless and oblivious.