American Government Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

American Government - Assignment Example In a free-market democracy, the public ultimately decides as to how the press needs to act. If the semblance of truth in the general public will not remain the motivating force for the press in future, neither free press nor democracy will have hope (Bivins, 2009). In the U.S, the media acts as the watchdog for the public. The news organizations use an-house critic to hear about public complaints. After that, the media broadcasts or publishes their judgments. In addition, the press creates citizens’ council which hears public complaints about the media and they issue verdicts, which are then aired widely (Edwards, 2001). Even though the freedom of the press is protected under the first Amendment, the freedom is sometimes restricted. The freedom for the press received little support from a bigger number of states. Punishment was permitted for libelous and seditious publications. In many states, truth is not defense to allegations of defamation. In any case a story discredits the reputation of any public official, the publisher is held responsible for money damages even if the published story is accurate. In states where truth is allowed as a form of defense, the publisher carries the burden of demonstrating its veracity (Bailyn,