Why does a democracy need journalism and the First Amendment?



The newspaper from Louisville, my notepad, my text book from my JOU 101 class, pen, pencil and a notebook with my thoughts and ideas. Everything relates to democracy, journalism and the First Amendment. 



Democracy as a planet would orbit in journalism and the First Amendment to maintain its designated course. 
A democracy does need the First Amendment and journalism in the sense that all three go hand in hand.  The First Amendment and journalism are vital components to the correct definition of a democracy.  Take in account that if democracy was a dictatorship, an anarchy or any other form of government that prevents the people to report, inform and speak the truth of what is going on inside the government, then democracy would be called something else, its name would cease to exist.

The Lincoln Memorial. Me in
Washington D.C. during the
summer of 2010. President
Lincoln gave a meaning to
the word democracy.

    “Of the people, by the people, for the people,” words by Abraham Lincoln, from the Gettysburg Address, certainly a perfect and simple definition of what democracy is.  Without the First Amendment there would be no of, by, or for the people.  The United States serves as a great example of a democracy, in terms of the First Amendment it is devoted to every single citizen.  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition government for a redress of grievances.”

     Without the First Amendment, there would be no journalism in the United States.  To be able to exercise the freedom of speech and press are the core to journalism.  Democracy exists because of journalism.  Without the various models of journalism, the voice of those citizens would not be heard and government would run things as they pleased because there would be no insight to the issues at hand in congress and what the people need would not be a thought of care for politicians.  Journalism has its way to put a spot light on people that are in the need of things necessary for a better life in a state, city, county or whatever community it may be.  However, journalism works both ways, as well as to provide people with details of what the government is doing and if it is in a democratic perspective or not. 

     Democracy spins in an orbit made up of the First Amendment and journalism.  For democracy to have its correct definition, we must take in account what the First Amendment says and what journalism does.