Free and Independent Press
Should our democracy permit monopolies of broadcast news media in local communities?
A free press meets many needs in a democracy. It exposes government mistakes and corruption that officials may want to keep quiet. It allows ideas to be publicly heard, examined, and questioned. This free flow of ideas and information enables people to make informed decisions about public issues—an essential activity of self-government.
Lessons
Resources
Articles and Papers
- “Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms: Article 17 (Freedom of Expression),” Czech Republic
- “Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms: Article 10, Freedom of Expression” (Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 1950)
- First Amendment Center, “Press”
- Freedom House, “Freedom of the Press”
- International Press Institute, “World Press Freedom Overview”
- "Remembering a Courageous Journalist," Radio Free Europe /Radio Liberty (2006)
- “Russian Constitution: Chapter Two, Rights and Freedoms of Man and Citizen”
- Turner, Ted. “My Beef with Big Media,” Washington Monthly (July/August 2004)
- “Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Article 19” (New York: United Nations, 1948)
Activities and Websites
Audio Articles
- "Bush, Putin Talk Democracy and Free Press" National Public Radio (February 24, 2005), (4:55- in the recording)
- "Media Mergers" National Public Radio (September 13, 1999)
- "Media Ownership" National Public Radio (May 13, 2003)
- "What New FCC Rules Mean for Media" National Public Radio (November 14, 2007)
Polling
Video
- Big Think: Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now!, batters the mainstream media for biased reporting
