The Media Is Continuing to Fail Us In All Too Familiar Ways

America Rises Post #10: September 16th, 2023

The news media, or press, plays a principle role in informing and educating the public in the United States, as well as serving as an ombudsman for elected officials and those in positions of socioeconomic and political power. The very relationship between the press and the government is extremely unique, and constitutes a salient element that distinguishes democracies like ours from dictatorships and autocratic regimes around the world. 

Even the founders recognized the fundamental necessity of a free press in holding those in power to account. This is why they enshrined it into the protections guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, which states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It has such a prevalent impact on our society in terms of shaping public opinion and driving political discourse on current events that it is often referred to as “The Fourth Estate” or the “Fourth Branch of Government.” In fact, many regard the press as the fourth pillar of democracy (see image below).

However, the media’s profound capacity to shape public opinion means that it has a responsibility not just to accurately report on current events and political news, but that it has an obligation not to give in to certain tendencies that ultimately do a disservice to the public and to our already shaky democracy.

Let’s go through the worst ways the media is currently failing us so I can give you specific examples: