Saving the News
The Press's Central Role to the "American Experiment"
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One private enterprise, and only one, received Constitutional protection by our Founding Fathers. That was the press, and in the very first amendment no less.
The thirteen states rejected the newly drafted Constitution until it was amended to provide strong safeguards against tyranny. Freedom of the press was considered an essential safeguard against a tyrannical state arising in the new nation. In 1789, the Acts of the First Session of the Congress required all bills, orders, resolutions and congressional votes be published in at least three publicly available newspapers. |
First AmendmentCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. |
Since the beginning of the Post Office and the Postal Act of 1792, certain types of mail have qualified for lower postage through preferred rates. It was assumed that these types of mailings yield social benefits for senders, recipients, and more importantly, a large nation. |
So vital was it considered that the new Congress set about promptly to enact laws that would shape the relationship of government to the press. One to provide financial support for the privately owned newspapers, ensuring that each received direct financial support by requiring each branch of government to publish public notices about any government-related activity that may cause one or more citizens to take action.
Then there was indirect support in the form of reduced mailing rates. |
Technological Changes and the Press
Telegraph service arose as a government-funded private corporation, receiving massive value from the government in the form of land grants, materials, assistance from the US military, access to rights of way, and government contracts. Telegraph quickly became vital to newspapers wanting to beat out competitors with news stories.
The sinking of the Titanic was the impetus for the U.S. government to begin regulating radio frequencies, after it was discovered that the Titanic's distress signal was received by a telegraph station in Newfoundland but amateur radio broadcasts prevented the prompt relay of the information.
Government regulation of radio spectrum has repeatedly been upheld by the Supreme Court. "Spectrum scarcity is based on the theory that because the broadcast spectrum is limited and is a valuable public resource, government intervention is required to protect this resource by restricting who may use it and how. The public, not the broadcasters, have a collective right of access to information." (Source, The First Amendment Encyclopedia)
The press adapted to the new technology and continued to fulfill its essential role to protect from the rise of tyranny. Whether using newsprint and ink or fiber and wires or even the airwaves, the press was able to survive and thrive. Until lately.
The sinking of the Titanic was the impetus for the U.S. government to begin regulating radio frequencies, after it was discovered that the Titanic's distress signal was received by a telegraph station in Newfoundland but amateur radio broadcasts prevented the prompt relay of the information.
Government regulation of radio spectrum has repeatedly been upheld by the Supreme Court. "Spectrum scarcity is based on the theory that because the broadcast spectrum is limited and is a valuable public resource, government intervention is required to protect this resource by restricting who may use it and how. The public, not the broadcasters, have a collective right of access to information." (Source, The First Amendment Encyclopedia)
The press adapted to the new technology and continued to fulfill its essential role to protect from the rise of tyranny. Whether using newsprint and ink or fiber and wires or even the airwaves, the press was able to survive and thrive. Until lately.