The journalist who provide the media

Eveyday a journalist risks his or her life trying to update the world on things happening around them. This is what drives them everyday, stories and the action. Sadly many journalist are kill in the line of duty, due to other poeple, who feel like they got in their business. Hundreds more beaten and put into prison. some examples:Egyptian blogger Karim Amer harassed in jail
In Afghanistan, at least 3 journalists still held captive
In Nigeria, 4 journalists receive death threats
Mexican journalists rescued in Oaxaca; one wounded
An organization called CPJ (Committee to Protect Journalists) support press freedom worldwide by defending the rights of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal. Thier goal is to encourage the growth of a civil society, which leads to stable, sustainable democracies and healthy social, political, and economic development. I feel that these people are doing the right thing for the journalist and the people of the world.

Freedom of Press... a double edged sword

While it is great that everyone has freedom of speech, many do not realize that that freedom is just much a privilege as it is a right. It for this reason that, the First Amendment is constantly abused by the citizens of this nation.

In our society citizens can freely express their opinions regarding almost anything they wish. They are very few restrictions on what someone can say. One restrictions is in airports; passengers are not allowed to say “I have a bomb” or “look fire”. There are few other places in our society that has similar restrictions on what you can say. Other examples of restrictions would include during speeches one cannot say anything that collides with the protections other citizens have. That is why in airports and other public places you can yell things that may put others in danger or collide with their protections granted to them in the same amendment. This is how the simple act of freedom of speech can actually be a double edged sword. Americans can freely say what they want and as long as it doesn’t endanger anyone else, it is by law legal. However just because someone is being legal doesn’t mean they are not hurting others emotionally, socially, or mentally. This freedom can easily if abused hurt others more than it helps our country. For example the general use of obscenities and derogatory statements are allowed by law, however hurtful towards the recipient. Think about how many times a day you hear about someone being derogatory or rude to someone else. It is more than you think.

This whole idea is something we all take for granite; the privilege to freely say what we want without consequences. However this opens the opportunity for many to abuse that privilege and turn something good into a horrible law. We as American’s need to do a better job respecting this law and using the freedom for what it is supposed to be used for and not using it for putting down others.

The 2nd Movie Clip

http://animoto.com/play/sB0tVyScLOdlcRk1DR1hHw?autostart=true

Censorship

Censorship

It is imperative that we insure the freedom of the media against forces that would act to control it if we are to maintain the liberties, life style, and overall fruitful democratic system that we have become accustomed to. The power of the media to influence people today is greater than ever before. If the pen is mightier than the sword and a picture is worth a thousand words then the internet with its countless articles and innumerable images must surely be the greatest force ever known to man. Individuals now are not only limited to influencing their friends and neighbors but can also reach audiences the world over. If this ability is properly protected then it will usher in an era of freedom and prosperity that humanity has never known yet at the same time if it is corrupted by the interests of politicians and special interests it could act to crush freedom the world over.
Political groups such as the Communist party in china are now able to aid their propaganda while silencing opposing views through the censorship of their internet. It also allows for greater surveillance of the population.

The strength of every democracy and republic, and therefore every truly legitimate government, in not found in its bureaucrats, its instituting, or even its military but rather in the convictions of its people. The active and dynamic participation of everyday citizens are responsible for the rise of Greece to Rome, even our modern empire and these glorious civil actions cannot happen without a free and developed press. Freedom of the press is essential if we want the relative prosperity of our nation to continue and if we want to improve the lives of countless people around the world. Politically motivated media controls only act to promote ignorance, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. The truth will set you free.

The Importance of free press