Annual American Freedom Essay Contest - Student Winners

Freedom of the Press

One of the greatest and most important freedoms practiced and enjoyed in America today is the freedom of press. John F. Kennedy once said that "In a time of turbulence and change, it is more true than ever that knowledge is power." These words ring true today; in a world rapidly changing, through social reform and technological revolution, it is imperative that everyone stay on the cutting edge in order for American society to move forward while not leaving anyone behind. Newspapers and other forms of press are one of the best forums for spreading this necessary knowledge, and if they remain truly unhindered and uninfluenced by our government, they can continue to keep Americans up to date on the issues everyone should know about in an uncensored (and therefore more accurate) manner.

Another important function of freedom of the press is the ability for anyone to spread new ideas without fear of governmental persecution. This helps level the playing field so to speak, and allows for the ability to spur change and seek justice to transcend all demographics. From writing newspaper editorials, to posting bills encouraging involvement with social issues, millions of Americans have taken advantage of this simple, yet essential expression of their liberty. Recently, there have been many editorial articles written by average citizens that are either for or against the new healthcare bill. One such editorial introduced evidence of how well the Massachusetts healthcare system is working. Whoever wrote this article knew that they could try to convince the American people to adopt healthcare reform without fearing persecution from the government. Similarly, Ben Franklin spread his revolutionary ideas through the press. Although he risked persecution for this, his colleagues ensured that Americans today would have the right to change society through freedom of the press.

Andrew Fixler
Weston High School
Teacher: Don Benson