Watchdog Reporting Quotes

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“…In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors. The Government’s power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government” -Justice Hugo Black 1971

 

“...The primary purpose of the constitutional guarantee of a free press was a similar one: to create a fourth institution outside the Government as an additional check on the three official branches…” – Justice Potter Stewart 1974 

 

“…Today, our tradition of a free press as a vital part of our democracy is as important as ever, The news media are now using modern techniques to bring our citizens information not only on a daily basis but instantaneously as important events occur. This flow of information helps make possible an informed electorate and so contributes to our national system of self-government…”- Ronald Reagan 1985 

 

“…I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy. That we need an independent media to hold people like me to account. I mean, power can be very addictive, and it can be corrosive and it’s important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power, whether it be here or elsewhere.”- George W. Bush 2017