A Free Press Is Fundamental to a Free Nation

"Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil."--John 3:19

One of the most. significant features of the U.S. Constitution is the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution known as the Bill of Rights. It could be argued that this is one of the more profound documents it history, guaranteeing fundamental individual freedoms while limiting government power.

Throughout our history we have witnessed assaults on these various tenets that were brilliantly and thoughtfully conceived by our Founding Fathers. To our benefit these attacks have been rebuffed. 

Today I'm thinking about one of the most important freedoms: freedom of the press, a freedom that is not universally shared. 

On Sunday March 8, the NYTimes editorial board published a feature editorial titled The Free Press Is Under Threat Globally.

The editorial argues that press freedom is deteriorating around the world and warns that democracy itself is at risk if independent journalism continues to weaken as governments increasingly use arrests, lawsuits, and intimidation to silence journalists. 

Record numbers of reporters are imprisoned today, particularly in authoritarian countries, creating a chilling effect on investigative work. At the same time, digital surveillance and unresolved violence have made journalism more dangerous. The piece concludes that a free press is essential to democracy, and that the United States must defend it both at home and abroad to maintain credibility. When journalists are silenced, corruption and abuse of power flourish. Protecting independent journalism, the board argues, should be a priority for governments and citizens everywhere.

Here's an excerpt: 

At least 330 journalists worldwide were in prison at the end of 2025, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, up from fewer than 200 a decade ago. More than a third of them were serving sentences of five years or more. Nearly half remained behind bars despite never having been formally sentenced. One-fifth say they were tortured or beaten. An additional 129 members of the press died while doing their jobs or because of them, the highest number since records began in 1992. Among the worst offenders against press freedom have been China, Russia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Israel, Myanmar, Sudan and Turkey.

A little further the Editorial Board stated:

The press faces challenges in freer societies, too. Israel's war in Gaza led to the arrest of almost 100 Palestinian journalists, often without charge, and at least twice that number were killed over two years, a toll without modern precedent. 

This latter statement is especially disconcerting. In addition to the elimination of hospitals and medical care, the targeting of journalists is undoubtedly one of the most troubling facets of the Gaza conflict. As I read the op-ed it brought to mind a Medium post I wrote in 2020, "The Real Reason They Punish Horse Thieves." 

As George Savile, Marquis of Halifax, noted, “Men are not hanged for stealing horses, but that horses may not be stolen.” Can this be the real reason they shoot journalists in Gaza or eliminate them elsewhere? 

The Watergate affair and My Lai massacre made heroes of journalists like Woodword and Bernstein and Sy Hersh. Their work inspired others to pursue this important profession.

Not all government leaders, however, want their deeds exposed. Fraud? Thievery? Corruption? War crimes? No wonder they shoot the messengers. 

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah stated that the heart is deceitful above above all things. Even good kings can go bad. Thus the Times board concludes that a free press is essential to democratic accountability. 

* * * * *

Read: The Real Reason They Punish Horse Thieves

Related: 

Judge Rules Pentagon Restrictions on Press Are Unconstitutional

Kenny Holston/The New York Times March 20, 2026

Comments welcome below.

Recent Tweets of Interest: Freedom of the Press at Risk? Free Speech, Too?

RANDOM PICKINGS 

1.
Blaze Media investigative journalist Steve Baker being taken into FBI custody for his J6 reporting.

Ex-Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge being held in contempt yesterday for refusing to reveal her sources about a Chinese-American scientist investigated by the FBI but never charged.

Those who pontificate about “threats to our democracy” should take a hard look at the threats to freedom of the press.

2. This [Assange case] is a blatant attempt to send a message to real journalists that if you dare expose the darkness or the US Government then you will pay the price.

It’s a sign that tyranny is only getting worse in this country. Shame on this attack of our freedom of the press.

3.

Like the plot to a dystopian movie, New York will now monitor social media writings, collect data, and use law enforcement to crack down on any expression it deems to be hate speech.

4.

New Free Speech Gag Law in Canada: C-63

They created a Bill to fight hate without actually defining what is considered hatred. In other words, this Bill C63 will let them make anything up they want, on the fly.

5.

It's about feelings...As the MOJ David Lametti mentioned he was "feeling threatened" during the "freedom convoy" so he invoked the Emergencies Act and joked about calling in a tank...

6.

They don’t need to define what is hate speech, they just need to be the ones who decide what is hate speech. I predict that politicians speaking out against this government will be charged.

7.

Online Harms Act Will Throw Authors, Columnists and YouTubers In Prison - Bill C63

8.

Under Online Harms Act #BillC63, the government can put you under house arrest or force you to wear an ankle bracelet if someone else believes that you *will* write something hateful online in the future.

9.

Being elected does not give one authority to violate Canada's constitution. This Orwellian piece of violent totalitarianism - Bill C63 - has no place in Canada. There ought to be penalties for lawmakers who propose obvious violations of individual freedom, and "free speech".

10.

Bill c-63 is worse than imaginable It is more ridiculous than thought police #C63 #cdnpoli

11.

How does Fascism start?: First, they fascinate the fools. (Trudeau) Then they Muzzle FreeThinkers (BillC63)

12.

The first amendment protects speech you "don't" like. If it protects only speech you"do" like, then there is no free speech.

BONUS TRACK:

On Cancel Culture and Freedom of Speech -- Quotes & Tweets