Check on Governmental Power

 As an American citizen I feel like some people take their personal freedoms for granted sometimes. Now I am not saying that America is a flawless country by any means we have our fair share of dark moments in our history, yet as citizens of the United States of America we are granted so many liberties that we take for granted daily.

   For instance, freedom of speech, in recent weeks we have seen in the United Kingdom people being thrown in jail for opinions about their government regimes online. The reason for their protest? LAWS! the British people are not happy with the interpretation and aggressive enforcement of existing laws. 

Now imagine if that happened in America... 

If you're still thinking about the question I posed above don't think any longer because the answer to your thought is this simple IT CANNOT HAPPEN. Vince Blasi argues that the fundamental purpose of the First Amendment is to enable free speech and press to "check the abuse of power by public officials."

"The Checking Value in First Amendment Theory," flipped the view on the First Amendment for many. Its primary purpose is to allow citizens and journalist to expose the abuse of governmental power in everyday life. This checking value poses the theory that "any unchecked authority will lead to corruption, making an informed and vigilant press essential to our democratic survival."

History has repeatedly solidified Blasi's theory through a grouping of scandals that might have never come about if it weren't for the American people. Watergate is a perfect example of this, as Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's thorough and hard-nosed, investigative work, exposed a presidency. 

Irangate revealed illegal arms sales, and covert operations conducted without congressional oversight. Or the Lewinsky affair? But what do all of these scandals have in common? They were all broken the same way. Governmental officials attempted to hide misconducts, investigative journalist didn't take no as an answer, and the American people had the final say. The reporters did nothing illegal to uncover information, they just exposed the truth to the American people.

Yet Blasi's theory calls us out as American citizens, Blasi states that the press alone cannot check the governments' power, citizens must do their part. Journalist can expose wrongdoing, but ultimately it comes down to voters, who decide whether or not to hold officials accountable. Creating a chain reaction of change, the press informs, citizens evaluate, and elections provide accountability.

This system grants the power to every citizen to maintain a check-and-balance system that restrains government overreach in all aspects of life. When we read investigative reports, share news, and vote on facts, we are upholding what the First Amendment was designed to protect. Speaking out about our government and making rational changes to improve our system of democracy.

Now I feel it would be unappropriated to address that we need to be careful when exercising this. While Blasi's theory argues for full press freedom, it is important to recognize that Fake news does exist. When fabricated stories hit the news, we as American people have to be capable of making rational judgment and understand that some things might not be true. 

In the grand scheme of things, as American citizen's we have a responsibility that goes beyond just going with whatever politicians say. We have the power and the duty to use our First Amendment rights to keep our government honest and accountable for any actions we deem 'improper.' Whether this is through reading investigative journalism, sharing news, or voting, we are all a part of the system Blasi described. When seeing what's happening in other countries where people cannot speak out against their government without the fear of arrest, it should be a remined to us that we truly do have freedoms. Yet the moment we stop paying attention, we lose the very freedom that makes America unique. Having the First Amendment is a blessing if WE USE IT!