I have been thinking a lot lately about how important freedom of the press is for our society. Freedom of the press gives writers the right to publish and distribute information, thoughts and opinions without censorship as guaranteed under the First Amendment. This means that journalists are given the ability to report without fear or retaliation. But this is not just about journalists writing stories, it’s about keeping the people informed. It’s about keeping our democracy healthy. It’s about keeping those in power accountable. So, why does it feel like this fundamental right is under attack? Whether it is the increasing violence and harassment against journalists, or the censorship and manipulation of information, there is a real threat to our media industry.
A freely operating, truth-seeking press is an extremely important part of a healthy democracy, but, despite the growing global efforts, journalism is still an extremely dangerous profession. Journalists are faced with harassment, violence or death—simply for trying to do their jobs and inform the people. From 2016 to 2021, UNESCO recorded 455 killings of journalists, with impunity prevailing in 13% of the cases. Moreover, the threats against journalists extend beyond physical violence. Journalist imprisonment is at record highs, with journalists facing attacks while covering events such as protests or rallies. But let’s say you are an online journalist. Online violence against journalists is active as well, with 73% of surveyed women journalists experiencing it.
Threats to press freedom come in many forms. The threat of violence is most apparent in these times. More than 2,000 journalists have been killed in the past 30 years alone, 15 of these deaths were in the United States. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker reports that in 2020, there was a spike in anti-press violence, causing more than 100 journalists to be arrested or criminally charged in relation to their reporting and roughly 300 assaulted. Is it not a bit concerning that a country that prides itself on its commitment to freedom of speech is the same country in which that anti-press beliefs are increasing?
These attacks not only endanger the safety of journalists but also erode the public’s trust in the media and, by extension, in our democratic institutions. It is important for us to address the threats to press freedom, but we need effort from governments, civil society and ordinary citizens alike. We must fight for legal protections for journalists, including holding those who commit this violence accountable for their actions. We have to work to foster a culture of respect for journalists who are willing to go out and get the true facts and information. Journalists should be able to carry out their work without fear of reprisal or intimidation or even death. These writers are being treated this way because they are trying to inform the people, and the people are assaulting them for it. Failure to address these threats endangers the lives and livelihoods of journalists, while also imperils the very foundation of the U.S. democracy. Without free press to tell the public the truth, we risk sliding into authoritarianism and losing our democratic values that we hold dear. Now more than ever, we must stand up for press freedom and our journalists, because if we don’t, we might lose more than we realize.
Presley Zimmerman can be reached at [email protected]