The Journalistic Profession

**rory_20_uk** · 01-24-2009, 16:54

A truly free media might be a mirror up to life, but even the freest media wants to create articles that will sell.

People have no liberty. They generally follow masses of laws that were chosen on their behalf, live in houses according to the rules, pay taxes.. the list goes on!

People are at liberty to choose their masters every few years.

**Guildenstern** · 01-24-2009, 18:46

I think that free news media are fundamental because they inform people without any constraints placed on them, allowing them to give uncensored news to the masses. If news media are unrestrained and unrestricted, they can deliver information that may be critical or may be in favor of a government, allowing all sides on an issue to be heard, instead of a unilateral progovernment point of view. This allows the media consumers to take informed decisions, based on their own ideals and views, not on the ideals of some faceless bureaucrat.

**Marshal Murat** · 01-24-2009, 20:12

I think that free news media are fundamental because they inform people without any constraints placed on them, allowing them to give uncensored news to the masses. If news media are unrestrained and unrestricted, they can deliver information that may be critical or may be in favor of a government, allowing all sides on an issue to be heard, instead of a unilateral progovernment point of view. This allows the media consumers to take informed decisions, based on their own ideals and views, not on the ideals of some faceless bureaucrat.

Just out of curiosity, why is it always assumed that any discussion on free speech means that, were rights restricted, the newspapers would have a primarily pro-government view? If we give complete free speech, wouldn't the majority be anti-government and probably baseless?

**Guildenstern** · 01-24-2009, 23:19

Originally Posted by Marshal Murat

Just out of curiosity, why is it always assumed that any discussion on free speech means that, were rights restricted, the newspapers would have a primarily pro-government view? If we give complete free speech, wouldn't the majority be anti-government and probably baseless?

I think the majority would align themselves with the government, if rights were restricted, because in my opinion the people ready to risk their careers (and maybe their lives) to regain liberty and independence would be a precious rarity.

**Kralizec** · 01-24-2009, 23:30

Originally Posted by Marshal Murat

Just out of curiosity, why is it always assumed that any discussion on free speech means that, were rights restricted, the newspapers would have a primarily pro-government view? If we give complete free speech, wouldn't the majority be anti-government and probably baseless?

The media in most western countries is largely free to cover what they please, barring libel and whatnot. The majority would perhaps be against the administration of the time but rarely against the government as an institution/framework. As long as a particular bunch of politicians have a decent number of supporters, there are always people who want to see their positive achievements covered.

**CountArach** · 01-25-2009, 10:05

Originally Posted by Marshal Murat

Just out of curiosity, why is it always assumed that any discussion on free speech means that, were rights restricted, the newspapers would have a primarily pro-government view? If we give complete free speech, wouldn't the majority be anti-government and probably baseless?

What gives you that idea? Just because we allow people to say what they really think doesn't mean that the entire media becomes completely Anarchistic.

**naut** · 01-29-2009, 05:53

Originally Posted by Marshal Murat

Just out of curiosity, why is it always assumed that any discussion on free speech means that, were rights restricted, the newspapers would have a primarily pro-government view? If we give complete free speech, wouldn't the majority be anti-government and probably baseless?

Firstly, it is assumed that where rights are being restricted that the media will have a pro-government slant because usually it will be the/a government doing the restricting.

Secondly, no complete free speech would not. For example, the internet is a tool of free speech, look at this forum as a tiny speck of the internet. Is every view put forth using this medium anti-government? No of course not.

Is every view baseless? Well, that's the thing with the media, any media. Journalists love to put spin on words and images, they can use baseless means to fuel real reactions and opinions, regardless of their viewpoint. It's up to you to be bothered to find out if they are lying to you, so you should always keep a grain of salt handy.