Dear Editor,

Freedom of the press is very important, not just because it’s apart of our first amendment. It allows us to write freely about anything we want in the media. Journalists help get different views on the many things that are happening here, in the US, or in other parts of the world. Trump labels journalism as “fake news” and while some news articles or channels may have some opinion based claims it still lets us, the people, know what is going on in America or in other countries.

According to the first amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Trump trying to make journalists the enemy of the people is almost violating the first amendment. Many of his supporters are now agreeing with Trump’s mindset; that’s a worrying thing to hear. Journalism helps us spread the word, just like it did in the days leading to the start of the American Revolution. According to the Baltimore Sun’s editorial board, “We ultimately feel the need to point out that a free press is critical to a properly functioning America.” I feel that all the supporters of Trump don’t realize this and still choose to support his opinion.

Freedom of press lets us get our personal views of events that are currently happening out to the world. It also allows us to publish informative, personal, and editorial articles without being controlled by the government. In dictatorships, like North Korea, citizens may not have the right to freely write their own opinion without major drawbacks. Being able to write freely in the press is a freedom that was given to us by our founding fathers that should be regarded just as important as freedom of speech.

Sincerely, Sydney Griggs