According To Jefferson In Document A, What Is The “ideal”? ✓ Solved

According to Jefferson in document A, what is the “ideal”

Journalism & American History Document A: An excerpted letter from Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1786 to 1788. This letter was written in 1787 from Paris, where Jefferson observed France moving toward the French Revolution of 1789. “The people are the only censors of their governors: and even their errors will tend to keep these to the true principles of their institution. To punish these errors too severely would be to suppress the only safeguard of the public liberty. The way to prevent these irregular interpositions of the people is to give them full information of their affairs thro’ the channel of the public papers, & to contrive that those papers should penetrate the whole mass of the people. The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers & be capable of reading them.

Document B: An excerpted letter from Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell, a newspaper editor and one of the first Senators from the state of Michigan. Jefferson is writing on June 14th, 1807 after enduring the oversight of the press from inside the White House. “To your request of my opinion of the manner in which a newspaper should be conducted, so as to be most useful, I should answer, “by restraining it to true facts & sound principles only. Yet I fear such a paper would find few subscribers. It is a melancholy truth, that a suppression of the press could not more completely deprive the nation of it's benefits, than is done by it's abandoned prostitution to falsehood.

Document C: In his famous 1910 speech “Citizenship in a Republic,” Theodore Roosevelt presented in some detail his views of government, civilization, and virtue. Among other things, Roosevelt commented on the role of journalists and journalism within society. Roosevelt noted that the power of the journalist is great, but he is entitled neither to respect nor admiration because of that power unless it is used aright.

1. According to Jefferson in document A, the “ideal” of the Free Press / Independent Journalism in American democracy is for the press to serve as a watchdog for the public, ensuring that citizens have access to the information necessary to understand their government's actions. Jefferson believed that a government should not exist without newspapers, as they are vital for public discourse and the safeguarding of liberty. He emphasized the importance of a well-informed citizenry, arguing that the press needs to exist to keep citizens informed of their affairs and hold their government accountable.

2. In document B, Jefferson's reality contrasts sharply with this ideal. He acknowledges the challenges faced by the press, particularly the prevalence of falsehoods. He points out that although the press should report the truth and promote sound principles, the reality is that misinformation has become rampant, undermining public trust in journalism. Jefferson worries that citizens may believe they are informed when they are actually misled by sensationalist and false reporting.

3. Jefferson’s perspective in document B resonates with Donald Trump’s criticisms of the media, where he often described the press as "fake news" or unreliable. Trump has claimed that much of the media serves its own interests rather than the public's, a concern Jefferson articulated more than two centuries earlier. This connection illustrates a historical continuity in the skepticism of journalistic integrity and its capacity to faithfully serve democracy.

Paper For Above Instructions

The commentary provided by Thomas Jefferson through his letters in documents A and B poignantly encapsulates the dichotomy between the ideal and the actual state of the press in American democracy. Document A emphasizes that the foundation of a government lies in the opinion of the public, with a free press playing a crucial role in informing citizens and keeping governmental powers in check. Jefferson believed that the ideal Free Press should provide unfiltered access to information and be a vehicle for public discourse. This underscores the notion that governmental authority derives from the consent of the governed, which is only possible when people are well-informed.

Jefferson's assertion that he would prefer a government without newspapers to newspapers without a government illustrates his profound belief in the power of the press as a pillar of democracy. His thought process was evident in how he implored for a press that would reach every citizen, signifying the importance of literacy and public access to information. Therefore, the ideal free press is one that not only reports facts but is also instrumental in fostering an engaged citizenry capable of participating in governance.

Yet, in document B, Jefferson’s reflections on the state of journalism paint a sobering reality. He expresses concern over the direction of the press, grappling with its descent into dissemination of falsehoods and sensationalism. The sadness he conveys about the public's misconceptions, maintained through misleading reports, aligns with a critical view of how misinformation had come to dominate the landscape of media communications. Jefferson’s warning serves as a historical commentary on the danger of failing to uphold journalistic integrity, exposing citizens to a distorted understanding of their world.

The argument presented by Theodore Roosevelt in document C further developed this discussion by emphasizing the journalist's responsibility to wield their power wisely. He noted that journalists could greatly benefit society or bring it harm, and that their influence must be directed toward public good rather than sensationalism. He cautioned against the dangers of writers who, motivated by profit or fame, engage in mendacity and trivialization, leading to a debased public discourse. The responsibility of journalists, as per Roosevelt, extends beyond merely reporting; it also involves a moral obligation to educate and uplift the citizenry, reminding them of their duty in the republic.

Roosevelt’s assertion that bad journalism cannot simply be excused by public demand reveals a critical understanding of ethical media practices. He argued that journalists should elevate public discussion rather than pander to base desires. This perspective remains relevant today as the media landscape grapples with the complexities of audience engagement and the pervasive influence of sensationalism amid the competition for attention. In contemporary society, journalists face the challenge of maintaining integrity in an environment where sensational news often garners higher ratings and greater revenue.

As news consumers today reflect on the timeliness of this discussion, the voices of Jefferson and Roosevelt resonate with urgency. The notion that journalism's power must serve the public interestmust be prioritized over mere popularity or financial gain. This understanding aligns with concerns voiced by contemporary politicians, including Donald Trump, who vocally criticized the media landscape as being rife with inaccuracies. Trump's declarations echo Jefferson's sentiments expressed in 1807, highlighting the ongoing need for a discerning populace and transparent media practices.

In conclusion, the relationship between the ideal and reality of a free press illustrates a perpetual struggle within American society. Jefferson's pioneering belief in the role of journalism as pivotal to democracy contrasts with his recognition of its vulnerabilities and pitfalls, which Roosevelt further outlined through his moral framework. For journalism to fulfill its roles, journalists and consumers alike must acknowledge their responsibilities—fostering truthful discourse, promoting informed citizenship, and ensuring that the legacy of a free press remains potent throughout the ages.

References

• Jefferson, T. (1787). Letter to Edward Carrington.
• Jefferson, T. (1807). Letter to John Norvell.
• Roosevelt, T. (1910). Citizenship in a Republic.
• Schudson, M. (2003). The Sociology of News. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
• McChesney, R. W. (2013). Digital Disconnect: How Capitalism is Turning the Internet Against Democracy. New York: The New Press.
• Gans, H. J. (2004). Democracy and the News. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Simon, A. (2011). The Changing Face of Broadcast Journalism. New York: Routledge.
• Pew Research Center. (2021). The Media Landscape: A Timeline of Major Events.
• Shirky, C. (2011). Cognitive Surplus: How Technology Makes Consumers into Collaborators. New York: Penguin Press.
• Ward, S. J. A. (2007). The Invention of Journalism Ethics: The Path to Objectivity and Beyond. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.