QuoteProject
As Americans, we rightfully place tremendous value on having a free and independent press. Our role as journalists is to give voice to the voiceless, and hold our leaders and institutions accountable. But the circle is only completed when that information is consumed by a free-thinking and engaged audience.
Lester Holt
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of a free press and an engaged audience in a democracy.

Lester Holt's quote highlights the critical role that a free and independent press plays in society by giving a voice to those who might not otherwise be heard and holding authorities accountable. However, the effectiveness of this role hinges on the presence of an informed and critically thinking audience that actively engages with the information presented to them, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between journalists and the public.

Themes

Free PressJournalismDemocracyAccountabilityEngagement

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the importance of democracy, I would include this quote to stress the role of journalism.

More from Lester Holt

What I've come to know is that in life, it's not always the questions we ask, but rather our ability to hear the answers that truly enriches our understanding. Never, never stop learning.
Lester HoltRead
I never believed the anchorman should be the know-it-all. And I try to communicate that to the audience. While I have some knowledge from my years of experience, what I want to do is walk you through this because we're all walking through this together.
Lester HoltRead

Similar quotes

Please, no matter how we advance technologically, please don't abandon the book. There is nothing in our material world more beautiful than the book.
Patti SmithRead
Dictionaries are like watches, the worst is better than none and the best cannot be expected to go quite true.
Samuel JohnsonRead
All that being a college coach has done, is it's reaffirmed the need to take care of our young people. They're the ones that are going to make a difference. We spend a lot of time blaming them for stuff, and not enough time mentoring them and helping them stand on their own two feet.
Tom IzzoRead
I was brought up to believe that the only thing worth doing was to add to the sum of accurate information in the world.
Margaret MeadRead
Education is the proper way to promote compassion and tolerance in society. Compassion and peace of mind bring a sense of confidence that reduce stress and anxiety, whereas anger and hatred come from frustration and undermine our sense of trust. Because of ignorance, many of our problems are our own creation. Education, however, is the instrument that increases our ability to employ our own intelligence.
Dalai LamaRead
Therefore, teaching, talk and tale, however lucid or fascinating, effect nothing until self-activity be set up; that is, self-education is the only possible education; the rest is mere veneer laid on the surface of a child's nature.
Charlotte MasonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.