2008 Woodie Awards
Free press becoming global
Tolena Mahlum
Issue date: 4/9/03 Section: News
While the press in Russia is making tracks on its way to becoming free, I asked some American professors at the University of Washington, Tacoma to comment on what it means in the U.S. to have a free press system in place.
Dr. Charles Emlet, assistant professor in social work, said that there is a down side to the free press in the United States.
“I think that it’s important for all countries to have a free press assuming that there’s a certain amount of integrity with the press.” Emlet explained that what is printed needs to be substantiated, otherwise it does not serve any justice.
“I am annoyed at how much they [the media] sensationalize and, in some ways, edit what we watch.”
Meg Smith, publications manager of The Ledger, said that in America the press gets to do its job as the watchdog of the government. “There are no laws that infringe upon our abilities to inform the public.”
She added that if all countries were able to have a free press, the lines of communication would be open for the exchange of information.
John Peterson, professor in mass communication, said that the freedom of the press in America is set up to encourage significant contribution from investigative and editorial journalists. “We have come to rely on [the free press] as a key element in accomplishing fairness and openness.”
Professor Peterson added that he feels that freedom of the press is important for all countries to have. However, he said that each country will develop its own version of that freedom. “Not all models of freedom will be identical to the United States’ model.”
Major Phases for Freedom
of the Press in Russia
1985-1989
Publicity became a privilege for the media. This
was granted by the authorities in Russia.
1990-1993
The creation of a legal basis for free media was
reluctanly permitted by the authorities in Russia.
Dr. Charles Emlet, assistant professor in social work, said that there is a down side to the free press in the United States.
“I think that it’s important for all countries to have a free press assuming that there’s a certain amount of integrity with the press.” Emlet explained that what is printed needs to be substantiated, otherwise it does not serve any justice.
“I am annoyed at how much they [the media] sensationalize and, in some ways, edit what we watch.”
Meg Smith, publications manager of The Ledger, said that in America the press gets to do its job as the watchdog of the government. “There are no laws that infringe upon our abilities to inform the public.”
She added that if all countries were able to have a free press, the lines of communication would be open for the exchange of information.
John Peterson, professor in mass communication, said that the freedom of the press in America is set up to encourage significant contribution from investigative and editorial journalists. “We have come to rely on [the free press] as a key element in accomplishing fairness and openness.”
Professor Peterson added that he feels that freedom of the press is important for all countries to have. However, he said that each country will develop its own version of that freedom. “Not all models of freedom will be identical to the United States’ model.”
Major Phases for Freedom
of the Press in Russia
1985-1989
Publicity became a privilege for the media. This
was granted by the authorities in Russia.
1990-1993
The creation of a legal basis for free media was
reluctanly permitted by the authorities in Russia.