Thomas Jefferson's Perspectives on the Press as an Instrument of Political Communication

Abstract

This article seeks to show that Jefferson's faith in the people's ability to govern themselves and his belief in the two-party system led him to conclude that a free press is needed to provide vital information required for an intelligent decision in an election campaign. Thus he encouraged the development of newspapers representing all points of view, and expressed the hope that these journals would be examined critically by the editor and by the public. Even though the high standards he upheld for a responsible press were violated in the 1800 presidential campaign, he maintained his strong belief that freedom of the press and expression should always prevail.

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References

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