Freedom of the press is one of the most important things to have in a country. America is one of many countries that have freedom of the press, and we are very lucky to have that. According to Reporters Without Borders, over a third of people live in countries that do not have freedom of the press, therefore having no free and independent news media. These countries are the countries that tend to have no system of democracy, and whose governments are corrupt and dysfunctional. Free and independent news media are important for many reasons, most importantly to keep governments in line.
Politics are full of lies and secrecy. However, many politicians think twice before doing something illegal because they know how well this country’s investigative journalism can expose them. Especially after Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal, journalists have been interested in the underground workings of the government. However, in countries that don’t allow freedom of the press, the government can do whatever they want without fear or being exposed. This shows how important freedom of the press is. Countries that allow it tend to have a more honest government, which allows the country to run smoother. Being a journalist in a country without freedom of press can be dangerous. Some places don’t even allow foreign reporters to come there — some cities is Niger, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia close themselves off to them. According to Reporters Without Borders, 42 people died in 2003 trying to get a story, and at least 130 ended up in prison. In 2005, 63 journalists were killed.
Overall, freedom of press is important in keeping a country honest and safe. Without it, governments have fallen and people’s lives have been endangered. People who are lucky enough to live in countries that do have freedom of press may not realize it, but they are very fortunate.