Responsibility of the Press to Report all of the News

In a democracy, the press has not only the right but the responsibility to report all of the news. Describe a specific situation in which a free press would be justified in not reporting something. Discuss what you think determines when something should be reported by the press. In a democracy, the people vote for leaders to represent their needs in the political arena. These popularly-elected leaders are, therefore, accountable to their constituents and must be in touch with the issues that affect their lives. Indeed, the press plays a huge role in developing responsive leaders by both reporting on actions made by government and shedding light into what matters to regular people. The wide access to the internet and unlimited amount of news sources has arguably contributed to a more well-informed citizenry and therefore, more robust democracy. In general, the press has the responsibility to report all the news so that citizens of a democracy can make the best decisions for themselves; however, there are instances when the dangerous consequences of reporting certain news outweighs citizens' rights to be informed. When citizens have broad-base access to news sources, they are more likely to make decisions that support their best interests. For instance, news about their representatives' actions in government allow them to decide whether or not to support their candidacy come election time. Also, news regarding the nation's economic health help guide citizens in making smart personal financial decisions. Of course, for citizens to benefit from the ubiquity of news reporting, they must be educated and able to analyze whether the news is reliable and "newsworthy." Indeed, citizens who do not take the time to inform themselves about current events and other information lose out in their right to fully participate in a democracy by, for example, not keeping leaders accountable. In this sense, reporters have the responsibility to present news objectively and in a way that citizens can see all sides of an issue. There are certain instances when a free press can be justified in not reporting something. For instance, the country might be conducting activity overseas, including wars and espionage. When the press "outs" confidential sources (such as CIA agents), it could place the lives of these people in danger. Knowledge of certain actions overseas could also anger opposition groups and place a country's programs in jeopardy or ruin key diplomatic relationships. The Wikileaks scandals 2010 involved the New York Times selectively printing State Department leaks, as opposed to allowing all information to be released. This is because the executives understand the broad ramifications of their reporting and do not want to be responsible for endangering people's lives. The press, indeed, serves as another "check and balance" in a democratic system. The leaders of the country, including the executive and legislative branches, are kept on their toes by the press. In order for this system to function, the press must be completely free and not be hindered by threats such as jail time or death for unfavorable reporting. The press not only keeps leaders accountable; it also provides the people with information and resources that could help them make better personal decisions for themselves and the community as a whole.