Contributions Of Free Press Essay, Research Paper

In the 21st century society, the human race has become its own greatest enemy.

Progressing at an incalculably rapid speed, technology, social and humanitarian

issues are threatening the very existence of human beings as individuals.

A century ago, individuals faced a change in societal values, technology, and an

outbreak of rebellions and wars. A century ago, there was a lack of awareness of

the outside world, and constant conflict between change and lack thereof. A

century ago, social, technological and humanitarian issues were swept under the

carpet because individuals were not aware of their problems, did not know how to

solve these issues, or even worse, did not want to resolve them.

Now, in the 21st century, the human race faces yet another challenge. The

constant upheavals of societal values and technology have made individuals

uncertain of who they are, where they stand in society and what the reality of

their situation actually is. Now, they face the constant conflict between change

and too much change. Individuals in the 21st century society face great

difficulties in resolving issues of change because of political point-gaining,

social controversy and the incessant manipulation of ?truth?.

The problems of the 21st century are of momentous proportion unforseen by any

other generation of the human race. Terrorism, famine, poverty, wars, AIDS,

refugees, crime and drugs are only some of the many issues that society can no

longer sweep under the carpet.

Free press is the only way that atrocities against humanity can be voiced, heard

and addressed. For centuries, governments have manipulated the truth to suit

their wants and needs, and their wants and needs only. Although times, values

and beliefs have changed, the manipulation of truth hasn?t. The presence of free

press acts as a watchdog for those daring to abuse their power and authority.

Without free press, the oppression of rights by the Taliban and other such

regimes would go past unheard by an otherwise deaf society. Without free press,

the crimes committed by the Chinese government and other such governments would

go past unseen by an otherwise blind society. Without free press, the

destruction of indigenous cultures around the world would go past unknown by an

otherwise prejudiced society.

Women?s rights did not eventuate because society decided to open its eyes. The

manipulation of truth by governments was not elucidated because society decided

to open its ears. Issues of poverty and famine in third world countries drowning

in foreign debt were not brought forward because society decided to open its

heart. The defects in the 21st century society are highlighted by free press,

and free press alone.

The fundamental benefit of free press is that it enables individuals to discern

for themselves what the ?truth? is, after receiving reports about what is

happening in their country, in the world and in society as a whole. Today in the

21st century society, the media is a watchdog that serves as a critic for

atrocities against individuals, civilisations and humanity.

To those individuals presiding in developed, priviledged and wealthy countries,

access to information and ?free? press is, quite simply, at the tip of their

fingertips. Information can be accquired from a variety of television networks,

newspapers, magazines, websites, programs and publications. Yet access to this

information is available to only those fortunate enough to afford them.

The majority of today?s ?civilised? and modernised society preside under the

thrall of tyranny, whereby which, only officially approved information appears

in the media. There are those individuals in less developed and priviledged

countries who continue to suffer under a barrage of lies, inevitably to die from

hunger or thirst for a word of truth.

Hundreds of millions of people in the 21st century society have no contact with

the media. In many parts of Africa, television, radio and even newspapers are

nonexistent. Even though some countries are fortunate enough to receive TV

transmissions, there are many individuals who cannot afford the luxury of TV

sets.

A significant portion of humanity still lives outside of the influence of the

media and has no reason to worry about media manipulation, or the bad influence

of the mass media, or even enjoy the liberties bestowed by free press. For most

individuals in less developed nations, television and such mediums are not

expected to provide a serious interpretation of the world, any more than we

would expect such a thing from a circus.

Even with the ideals of democracy, and freedom of expression, speech and

opinion, many individuals and groups are denied access to free press,

information, and furthermore, to ?truth?. In South Africa, a country whose

government is fundamentally structured on the ideals of democracy, one in two

women are victims to rape and sexual assault. Despite the magnitude of the

violence, a recent anti-rape TV advertisement (starring South African actor

Charlize Theron) was banned by the Advertisement Standards Authority for being

?offensive? to men. If the freedom of the press can be manipulated to suit

authorities and their needs, then it is no longer ?free press? and it is no

longer democracy.

In the 21st century society, there are questions of rights, social problems,

societal dilemmas and change. The answer to so many questions can be found in

free press. Free press is a democracy – a democracy that recognises the voices

of the oppressed, the endangered, the wrong and the wronged. The progress that

society has made can not be credited to one man, one country or one nation. The

deterioration of humanity cannot be blamed on one man, one country of one

nation. Yet the salvation of rights, conservation of freedom and the elucidation

of truth in the 21st century should be the contribution of free press.

As Thomas Jefferson once said, The foundation of democracy lies in the

belief that common men and women can exercise their critical intelligence and

make decisions about their own governance. In the 21st century, free press is

the structure built on this foundation. No longer will atrocities be swept under

the carpet, because free press is the vacuum cleaner that will reveal the filth

of our society. No longer will atrocities be swept under the carpet because the

truth can be, and will be told.