Blog 5: Free Press

Look up the 1st amendment online and explain in your own words why a “free press” is contained in the first amendment. What is the press “free” from? Why might this be important? Consider some of the changes since the the 1st amendment was written. In what ways is a “free press” still important in 2018?

It's unconstitutional to lie as a journalist. When it comes to the world of politics, there's a fine line between lying about someone or making an accusation about them. In today's world, because of freedom of the press stated in the first amendment, those involved in the world of politics are often guilty until proven innocent. If you notice, the phrase is flip flopped from how it should be. Since, the first amendment was written, a lot has changed. People are angrier than they ever have been and the press will do anything to make sure their side wins. It's often times terrible to see what they'll do to some people and what they'll put them and their families through. It didn't used to be like this. Sure there's been a democratic and republican party for quite a while but, when someone won, the other side accepted it. Now it seems like no matter what anyone does one side is unhappy at the other and they'll do and say anything they can to make it known. These people of the press aren't lying when they write about the accusations someone has made about someone else, but they certainly have no proof of what they're writing either. It's unconstitutional to make up a story about a senator claiming they're having an affair with their neighbor. It's unconstitutional to do this just because you don't like them. But it's not unconstitutional to write about accusations someone has randomly thrown out into the air that you have no proof that they're even true. Why is that constitutional? Why is that free press?