Criticism of government finds sanctuary in several portions of the 1st Amendment. It is part of the right of free speech. It embraces freedom of the press
Hugo BlackRead
Paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to distant lands to die of foreign fevers and foreign shot and shell.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A free press plays a crucial role in ensuring government accountability and preventing misinformation.
The quote emphasizes the essential duty of a free press in safeguarding democracy by holding the government accountable. It warns against the dangers of deception and manipulation that can lead to unnecessary loss of life, highlighting the moral obligation of the press to inform the public truthfully about government actions, especially in matters of war and foreign intervention.
Themes
Free PressGovernment AccountabilityDeceptionPublic DutyTruth
In practice
Example use cases
In a panel discussion on democracy, one might reference this quote to highlight the importance of journalism.
More from Hugo Black
All quotes →Loyalty must arise spontaneously from the hearts of people who love their country and respect their government.
Hugo BlackRead
The public welfare demands that constitutional cases must be decided according to the terms of the Constitution itself, and not according to judges views of fairness, reasonableness, or justice. I have no fear of constitutional amendments properly adopted, but I do fear the rewriting of the Constitution by judges under the guise of interpretation.
Hugo BlackRead
The Press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of the government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government. And paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people.
Hugo BlackRead
It is my belief that there are "absolutes" in our Bill of Rights, and that they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant and meant their prohibitions to be "absolutes."
Hugo BlackRead
Words uttered under coercion are proof of loyalty to nothing but self-interest. Love of country must spring from willing hearts and free minds.
Hugo BlackRead
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