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S.L.C.

115TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION

S. RES. ll

Reaffirming the vital and indispensable role the free press serves.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. SCHATZ

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submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on llllllllll

RESOLUTION
Reaffirming the vital and indispensable role the free press
serves.
Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States protects the press from government control
and suppression;
Whereas the freedom of the press—
(1) has been recognized as integral to the democratic
foundations of the United States since the beginning of
the United States; and
(2) has endured and been reaffirmed repeatedly
throughout the history of the United States;
Whereas Benjamin Franklin in 1722 wrote, ‘‘Whoever would
overthrow the Liberty of a Nation, must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech.’’;

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Whereas Thomas Jefferson in 1786 wrote, ‘‘Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be
limited without being lost.’’;
Whereas James Madison in 1789 introduced the freedom of
the press in the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of the
United States;
Whereas James Madison based the freedom of the press on
the Declaration of Rights of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which in 1776 declared, ‘‘The freedom of the Press
is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and can never
be restrained but by despotic Governments.’’;
Whereas President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 4,
1985, as Freedom of the Press Day, stating that ‘‘Freedom of the press is one of our most important freedoms
and also one of our oldest.’’;
Whereas President Reagan also said, ‘‘Today, our tradition
of a free press as a vital part of our democracy is as important as ever. The news media are now using modern
techniques to bring our citizens information not only on
a daily basis but instantaneously as important events
occur. This flow of information helps make possible an
informed electorate and so contributes to our national
system of self-government.’’;
Whereas Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in International
Soc. for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. v. Lee, 505 U.S.
672 (1992), ‘‘The First Amendment is often inconvenient. But that is beside the point. Inconvenience does not
absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate
speech.’’;
Whereas the United States Supreme Court also affirmed the
history and intent of the freedom of the press in New

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York Times Co. v. United States, 403 U.S. 713 (1971),
stating, ‘‘In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers
gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill
its essential role in our democracy. The press was to
serve the governed, not the governors. The Government’s
power to censor the press was abolished so that the press
would remain forever free to censure the Government.
The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets
of government and inform the people. Only a free and
unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in
government.’’;
Whereas tyrannical and authoritarian governments and leaders throughout history have sought to undermine, censor,
suppress, and control the press to advance their undemocratic goals and actions; and
Whereas the United States, including the long-held commitment to and constitutional protection of the free press in
the United States, has stood as a shining example of democracy, self-government, and freedom for the world to
emulate: Now, therefore, be it
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Resolved, That—
(1) the Senate—
(A) affirms that the press is not the enemy
of the people;

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(B) reaffirms the vital and indispensable

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role that the free press serves to inform the

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electorate, uncover the truth, act as a check on

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the inherent power of the government, further

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national discourse and debate, and otherwise

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advance the most basic and cherished demo-

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cratic norms and freedoms of the United

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States; and

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(C) condemns the attacks on the institu-

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tion of the free press and views efforts to sys-

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tematically undermine the credibility of the

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press as an attack on the democratic institu-

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tions of the United States; and

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(2) it is the sense of the Senate that it is the

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sworn responsibility of all who serve the United

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States by taking the oath to support and defend the

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Constitution of the United States to uphold, cherish,

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and protect the entire Constitution, including the

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freedom of the press.