“The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.” - James Madison. The press (the fourth estate) is referred to as an unofficial branch of the government but it is influential to the three branches. The media is a powerful force and contribution to today's society. Without the press, the people wouldn't know anything that happens around the world, their nation or their own community. It lets people know what is going on around the world or their own surroundings, they control what people so and do not see. We the people are biased towards this idea, there's those who believe that all that goes on Tv could be potentially fake.
I theorize that the media could be the final check when it comes to politics. They are the ones who show the final saying of what is happening between the closed doors of the capital and not only Congress has the power to speak for the people. In the article 'The Fourth Estate As The Final Check' states that 'The press has always had its eyes on the government, and has always served as the voice of the people, speaking truth to power' (Tran). It falls in the 1st amendment of the constitution, 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.' The statement made by Tran puts in the picture of why the press is our fourth branch and put the government accountable for what they have spoken about or done. The public makes decisions based on their knowledge and is influenced by what they see or listen. We have the right to know and get involved with what our leaders have in mind or are planning to do for our nation.
Since the beginning of our history, the free press has been a useful source for Americans to have some knowledge of their surroundings. On September 25 of 1690, the first colonial newspaper in America was published called Publick Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestic, this was a highlight of the free press. However, the newspaper had to be taken down by the British governor because of a failure to obtain a 'printer license'. In modern days everyone can publish some type of news on social media without having it to be taken down. For example, a person can turn on their Tv, telephone, radio or even because of their own neighbors. I'll talk about a recent event. On February 14 of 2018, a shooting took place in a high school located in Parkland, Florida taking the life of 17 students. Students used social media (twitter, facebook, and snapchat) to alert others outside the school of the event that was happening. Demitri Hoth, 'a 17-year-old senior, was one of those students. He showed us how he experienced the Parkland, Fla., shooting and the student-led gun-control movement that followed through texts, tweets, Facebook and Snapchat' (Just Try to Keep Calm). This event demonstrated how security in schools do not meet safety standards and how gun control in the united states works. Placing more eyes in the government.
There are those who disagree with the idea of the media being the fourth estate. People believe that the government feels threatened by the media because of the way they portray them and how others react towards them. The media may not be as transparent as they say, they could be hiding or censoring facts from the public. As we may call it 'sugar coating'. In the article 'The Humans of The New York Times' the writer, Megan Garber, stated “Jarring collisions of information and personality. Missed connections; misunderstandings; “fake news.” The weaponization of “bad faith.” The crisis of authorship itself.” That is one of the reasons why people have huge disbelief in the media. We aren't the ones who get to see what happens behind the cameras or computer.
The media should be considered the Fourth Estate of the Government. It had a large impact just like the other three. It checks and informs others of what is happening on a daily basis. If it wasn't for the media we would have no idea of what is happening and how that could affect us. Even trans said '... to ensure the protection of American citizens and their civil liberties. In other words, if you ask: “who watches the watchmen?” We answer, the press.' We are the one who checks the government and what they do.
The media should be considered the Fourth Estate of the Government. It had a large impact just like the other three. It checks and informs others of what is happening on a daily basis. If it wasn't for the media we would have no idea of what is happening and how that could affect us. Even trans said '... to ensure the protection of American citizens and their civil liberties. In other words, if you ask: “who watches the watchmen?” We answer, the press.' We are the one who checks the government and what they do.
In conclusion, the media is highly considered the fourth estate. Without the press, the people wouldn't know anything that happens around the world, their nation or their own community. They play a crucial role in the outcome of political problems and candidates. The government claims to act in the public interest and must face the consequences of their actions. They must be called to account when overstepping the borders of what citizens support, or when taking actions that are clearly not in our interests or disagree with. We rely on journalists and news media.
