Editor's Note: This is the full text of the winning essay in the 2006 American Heritage Scholarship Series. It was written by Kaitlin Showerman of Modesto, a senior in the Hearthstone Christian School.
By KAITLIN SHOWERMAN
In the 200 years since Thomas Jefferson lived, many things in American life have drastically changed. Technology in particular has experienced astounding growth over the past few centuries, providing not only for many of today's modern conveniences but also offering a broader range of communication. As such, the media has a greater ability to reach people in all walks of life and corners of the globe. From the Internet to the radio, to the television, and the old familiar newspaper, news is reaching more people faster than ever and playing a larger role in world events (Heibert, 2001). However, even with all of these advances, the press holds the same role today as it did more than 200 years ago: to serve as a vital tool for upholding liberty and freedom by means of education through information.
When viewed through the lens of Jefferson's own words, we see many similarities between the press of today and that of early America. First, the primary purpose of the press is still to secure our liberty through education, the marketplace of ideas, and keeping the government accountable. Secondly, the publication of information is only a tool; one that can be used for good or bad, and therefore must have some level of accountability upon itself. And finally, we will look at our responsibility as American citizens to utilize this tool in order to promote the welfare of our nation.
George Nicholas, speaking at the Virginia Convention on the Ratification of the Constitution in 1788, stated that "an enlightened people will never suffer what was established for their security to be perverted to an act of tyranny." One of the ways that the freedom of the press uses information to guarantee liberty is in the marketplace of ideas.
To preserve the freedom of the human mind... and freedom of the press, every spirit should be ready to devote itself to martyrdom; for as long as we may think as we will and speak as we think, the condition of man will proceed in improvement. (Jefferson, 1799)
Acting as a forum, the media is an arena where ideas, both old and new, can reach people from every situation of life. The power of the press then ensures our liberties by making our ideas known.
The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure. (Jefferson, 1823)
Another way that the press uses education through information to uphold liberty is by keeping government officials accountable. Thomas Jefferson recognized the importance of the press for providing trustworthy information in order to keep citizens aware of events instead of being left to rumor and hearsay. "Our citizens may be deceived for awhile, and have been deceived; but as long as the presses can be protected, we may trust to them for light" (Jefferson, 1799). Education by information provides a way for the public to know important facts and respond in an appropriate manner. This role of the press offers accountability for public officials by allowing people who take part in electing the leaders of our nation to be more informed and better able to make wise decisions. Government must have accountability, and the press serves as a means of ensuring that. "No government ought to be without censors, and where the press is free, no one ever will" (Jefferson, 1792).
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