Transhistoric Relationship between the Press and the Government

There is a transhistoric element that stands the test of time for the relationship between the press and the government, even if the details of it have evolved as the world changes. This is in part due to the fact that the press pushes the limits of the government and chooses to expose the information that the government would like to keep from the general public. The result is a rocky relationship that ebbs and flows based on the current state of the country and the details that journalists dig up and expose.

The press is deemed a fourth estate, or institution, that falls outside of the government and
therefore one of its primary focuses, upon creation, is to keep the three branches of government in check. This is a crucial aspect that the public fails to recognize at times. The media is of the people and is an additional link that the public can utilize in order to harness the power of the governed that is the democratic government - the cardinal rule. This article analyzes the importance of a free press and the transhistoric grapple with the government.  

Within the film Good Night, and Good Luck the main theme entails journalists working to inform the masses about the wrongdoings that are occurring due to the workings of those in the government. In specific, Edward Murrow is following the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy and his attempt to publicly shame and derail those he deemed as hiding communists within the United States. This takes place during the Cold War as tensions are high with the Soviet Union. 

The issues that ensue between the press and the government are not unlike the issues occurring in our society today. There is a constant back and forth between the two, and currently it is noted between our president, his view of the media, and the media portrayal of his actions and statements. 

We discussed earlier about Partisan press, which is evident in the media outlets now. Fox and CNN are polar opposites when it comes to their arguments and inclusion of information throughout reports. There is an obvious tendency to support the president's actions on Fox and disprove of them if on CNN. The constant critique of the media by the public defeats the purpose that they are there to do. The media must be a trusted news source for the people in order for informed decisions to be made within the democracy. 

The access of the press equates to the access of the public. In 1966 the Freedom of Information Act  (FOIA) was enacted by Lyndon B. Johnson which redirected the message of the Administrative Procedure Act from 1946. Under FOIA, the public and the press have the ability to request documents from federal agencies. 

While this supports the democracy of the people, there are exemptions to the Act that restrict access to specific details known by the government. This limitation on the dissemination of information has been pressed by journalists, especially muckrakers, who push to spread the truth throughout the public. 

Julian Assange is a prime example of a journalist who published information the government deemed confidential and is now being punished for it. Julian Assange is much like Edward Murrow because they both took risks to publicize the information that affected the democracy of America and needed to be known by the masses, all at the expense of exposing the government and themselves. The government, and news outlet, reacted in both cases which shows you the extremes they will go to in order to shut down the spread of the scary truths.

Another way the government will dismiss disclosed government secrets is through the chilling effect. This seems to be a current issue between the government, the press, and the public admit the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are mixed messages and reduced press conferences which creates suspicion regarding the details of this virus and its current state. 

We must ask ourselves: Is the media uncovering the truth? Is the government restricting the reach of the media?

As election season draws near, the relationship between the press and government will continue to buckle. The media must stand strong in defending their stance as the "watchdog" in order to educate the public on the current state of the country. This role has a major impact on the democracy and the choices that the public makes in terms of our elected officials. 

Entering into this industry brings a crushing pressure to publish work that is thought-provoking, accurate, and constructive for the good of the democracy. It is vital that the press continues investigating the tough topics and keep the government responsible for its actions.