A fish cannot live without water. A tree cannot grow without sunlight. A baby cannot mature without food. In the same way, true democracy cannot flourish without a free media. Free media are not only important, but essential to our democratic society because free media give citizens the voice to speak out, the eyes to see what goes on, the ears to hear what people say and the knowledge to take action.
One of the most prevalent and easily accessed forms of media is the Internet. Anyone can use Internet forums or Web sites such as Blogger.com to speak out and express their ideas and opinions on current issues. E-mail loops and news sites are also available to those who wish to be heard. In addition to the Internet, newspapers are another heavily used form of media.
Most, if not all, newspapers have a letters to the editor section where responses to newspaper articles are published. Televised interviews allow American people to comment on issues. We are very privileged to be able to speak out on current issues through free media.
In addition to giving a voice to the people, free media are also the informative eyes and ears of the people. This role of the media was recently displayed in the 2008 election. The candidates used free media to air TV and radio ads to promote themselves or demote their opponent.
News reporters were able to interview both parties, allowing the American people to hear from both sides of the political spectrum. Televised debates allowed citizens to see firsthand how the candidates responded to their opponent's views. Because of free media, the people are able to hear directly from the front lines, without any twists or turns where information could be filtered or changed.
Without a free media, citizens would be unable to express their opinions publicly, something that would strangle our nation's democracy. Without a free media, the American people would be unable to hear different opinions and perspectives on an issue. Without a free media, they would be easily blinded and unable to rightly divide the good from the evil.
When the media are biased, it is very easy for people to obtain incorrect information and make bad judgments. For the people to react to and affect our government in a democratic manner, they must be informed. To be informed, they must be told. To be told, the media must be free to publish any information the people need to know.
In conclusion, you can see that free media are an integral part of our nation's democracy. Free media enable us to have a say in what goes on. Free media show us those things that would otherwise be very difficult to know. Free media allow us to make informed decisions based on what we hear. In short, free media are so essential to our democratic society that it could be considered the very food that keeps our nation alive.