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So that a free and informed voting public can hear and critically assess competing ideas. Unfortunately the "free" press has a long history of bias and a lack of objectivity. And the government has a long history of suppressing free speech and the press. John Adams, Lincoln, Wilson and FDR most famously promoted and enforced laws prohibiting "anti-government" speech or print.

Adams signed alien and sedition acts in 1798, making it a crime to criticize him. Lincoln imprisoned anti-war editors of northern papers, Wilson passed the sedition acts of 1918 (It forbade the use of "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the United States government, its flag, or its armed forces).

FDR forcibly shut down non union print shops and magazines critical of his administration and even went as far as pulling newsboys off the street for selling print from anti-war papers and magazines.

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Shane Gerhold

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2y ago
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7y ago

The freedom of the press allows parties who are not currently in power and whose views oppose those of the current in-power party the ability to freely express their view and solicit votes in upcoming elections. Without the freedom of the press, the ability to disseminate information would be at the will of whoever was in power by accident of history.

In a broader sense, freedom of the press has been shown to be highly correlated with high literacy, especially high political literacy. When people read more and understand their political situation better, they can better orient their opinions and evaluated whether or not their particular politicians are supporting their beliefs.

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14y ago

the freedom of the press is valued in america, because if we didn't have it, all the newspapers and other stuff would just be a bunch of bogus junk that people made instead of what they thought was real

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9y ago

Freedom of the press is important for many different reasons. The most important of these is this the freedom that allows the media to bring the news to the general public.

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Q: Why is freedom of press important in democracy?
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How does freedom of the press protect our democracy?

Freedom of press protects our democracy because it ensures the American people will be well informed of the issues.


Which speaker's statement reflects an understanding of the importance of the First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech to democracy?

Speaker 3: Freedom of press is important because people rely on the press for information about the actions of their government.


Why is the first amendment important to you?

Why are freedoms in the First Amendment important for people in a democracy?


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Yes


The famous Zenger trial was important because it established the principle of?

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Free speech promotes "The free flow of ideas essential to political democracy and democratic institutions."


How did the trail of John Peter Zenger become important to the colonits?

Zenger's trail established an important right, freedom of the press.


What has the author G V Ferguson written?

G. V. Ferguson has written: 'Press and party in Canada' -- subject(s): Democracy, Freedom of the press


Why are freedoms important?

Because it allows you many things, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, etc. If you didn't have freedom of speech, you might be killed for saying what you think is correct. Same with freedom of religion and freedom of press


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he was important because our world wouldn't have freedom


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The underlying principle of democracy is freedom, since only in a democracy the citizens can have a share in freedom. In essence, he argues that this is what every democracy should make its aim. There are two main aspects of freedom: being ruled and ruling in turn, since everyone is equal according to number, not merit, and to be able to live as one pleases.


Is democracy bad?

No, democracy is not bad because democracy means freedom of speech and freedom of human rights!