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When the Press Isn’t Free, Democracy Isn’t Either
A defense of journalism in the face of hostility from the highest office
When the Press Isn’t Free, Democracy Isn’t Either
A defense of journalism in the face of hostility from the highest office
“Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.” — Walter Cronkite
In the United States, we believe the truth is protected. Those facts matter.
That democracy, while messy, ultimately relies on a shared commitment to accountability. But what happens when the loudest voices in power turn their backs on those commitments — and then try to convince the public to do the same?
Here’s the truth they don’t want you to hear:
If the press isn’t free, the people aren’t either.
Journalism Is the Immune System of Democracy
Let’s stop pretending this is about “bias.” Journalism isn’t perfect. Reporters are human. But legitimate journalism — fact-checked, verified, accountable — is the immune system that fights off the viruses of corruption, propaganda, and authoritarianism.