A Free Press: Essential Pillar for a Free Society

This piece originated as a lecture delivered at the Notre Dame Kellogg Institute for International Studies on Tuesday.

The vital role of a free and autonomous press in sustaining a thriving democracy faces unprecedented challenges, with mounting efforts aimed at restricting and penalizing independent journalism. Such campaigns jeopardize the foundational principles that have supported the American democratic model for nearly two and a half centuries.

A free society fundamentally depends on a free press.

Globally, democratic governance is experiencing setbacks. Authoritarian figures intent on weakening democratic institutions often target the press first. Limiting journalists' ability to independently inform the public about those in power paves the way for unchecked authority.

From the nation’s inception, journalism has been recognized as a cornerstone of democratic self-rule. This principle was embedded in the First Amendment, which uniquely safeguards the press within the Constitution. Subsequent leaders and judicial authorities have largely upheld these protections.

This bipartisan support stems from an understanding of the press’s critical contributions to national success, encompassing three key functions that align closely with today’s challenges to civic well-being:

• In an era marked by widespread misinformation undermining shared facts, the press provides reliable news and information essential for citizens to make informed decisions about elections, the economy, and daily life.

• As social divisions and tribalism intensify, the press promotes mutual understanding necessary for a diverse and fragmented nation to unite around common goals.