Editorial: Freedom of the press

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Posted: 9/23/08

09/23/08 - The Constitution's First Amendment guarantees American citizens all kind of freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition the government, and the Cigar's favorite - freedom of the press.

Here at the Cigar, we have the privilege of giving readers the truth, regardless of what the University of Rhode Island's administration or Student Senate sees fit to publish. It is rare Cigar reporters are denied access to information or campus events.

But outside of the Memorial Union's sheltering halls, that's not always the case.

Since this country was founded, journalists have struggled to escape censorship, in an effort to inform and explain.

Just think where would this country be without Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who helped to uncover the Watergate scandal.

What can be overlooked, at times, is the fact that through careful and accurate reporting, journalists are the ones quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, laying the framework for tomorrow's history books.

URI alumna and CNN chief international correspondent, Christiane Amanpour said it best, "I consider myself among the luckiest of people, because journalism, when it's done well, is the proudest and most noble of professions."

Yet, the struggle of journalists has not ceased to subside.

Just recently, at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. reporters caught in a sea of protesters were assaulted, gassed and ultimately arrested, just for doing their jobs as police attempted to control the rioters. Clearly, this violated their constitutional freedoms.

Though recent reports indicate most charges brought against journalists will be dropped, what police subjected reporters to that day was wrong, and, still, will likely continue to happen.

It is important that journalists and everyday citizens alike continue to insist on the privileges guaranteed in the First Amendment.

Without these freedoms, America's access to truth is ultimately compromised.