The First Amendment states, “Congress 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.”

What’s often forgotten is that part of that long confusing sentence covers freedom of “the press.” In other words, journalism and media. The press reserves the right to publish and share information that cannot be censored.

This is critical because journalism, which Britannica defines as “the collection, preparation, and distribution of news and related commentary,” is the bedrock of a free nation. The founding fathers knew this. The United States of America was established as a democratic republic, free from the religious and political tyranny the Revolution soldiers died fighting against.

According to the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), there are four primary responsibilities of a journalist: to seek the truth and report it; minimize harm; act independently; and be accountable and transparent.

Here at the Wilsonville Broadcast Network (WBN), we are often pushed to paint a positive picture of our school and community, but we always strive to fulfill our primary responsibilities. 

We believe these responsibilities are more important than ever. As communicated in our mission statement above, we are committed to producing accurate, interesting, and informative stories reflecting the life of Wilsonville High School. But in light of current events, the press’ US Constitutionally-endorsed freedom and right to publish are being eroded.

In the last few months, the Trump administration has been restricting those rights by silencing protesters speaking out against the war in Gaza, arresting college journalists voicing their opinions, and suing news outlets publishing the unflattering truth about the Trump administration and their policies, violating the First Amendment’s protection of the freedom of speech, assembly, and government petition (The Guardian, Aljazeera, Axios).

This trend of declining freedom in America has been happening before the current federal administration. According to Reporters Without Borders, an international nonprofit promoting the defense and freedom of information and journalism, the US’s World Press Freedom Index ranking has fallen from 32nd in the world in 2013 to 55th as of 2024, citing “structural barriers” to free press amid growing “interests in partisan media” and President Biden’s reluctance to address “chronic, underlying issues affecting journalists” (RSF, 2024).

Trust in media has also been plunging throughout the 21st century, and according to a Gallup poll, American trust in media is at an all-time low of 31% as of October 2024.

Wilsonville High School, we surface this discussion because the press’ rights are citizens’ rights. To an extent, everyone is a journalist; we all share stories, discuss current events, and communicate ideas and emotions. Those freedoms that define America are actively being taken away, and now is no time to be silent.

The threats to the free press aren’t the result or fault of a person, government, or ideology. Rather, this is a systemic collapse being hastened by destructive federal actions and declining public trust.

Journalism and press freedom aren’t just important because the Constitution says so. The former Washington Post slogan puts it well: “Democracy dies in darkness.” 

When we fail to or are prevented from seeking and reporting the truth, minimizing harm, acting independently, and being transparent and held accountable—the core tenets of journalism—the purpose of our constitutional republic ceases to exist. It’s not just democracy that dies in darkness—it’s the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—the values of the free world that the United States of America were founded on, are supposed to define, and claim to protect.

So, what do we do? We get back to and stick to the fundamentals. The WBN mission statement is to tell “the stories of Wilsonville High School.” As the voice of the student body, we have a responsibility to seek & report the truth; minimize harm; act independent; and be transparent & held accountable. And that will never change.

As citizens of an increasingly less free world, we encourage you to support sound, independent, and transparent journalism. Not just here at WBN, but locally, regionally, and nationally. Let’s hold on to the fundamental truth that journalism is the bedrock of our free nation. Freedom for the press is freedom for the individual. As the WBN editorial staff, we say, “Let freedom ring!”

What is an editorial?

The WBN Editorial is an article written to express the opinions of the Editor-in-Chief and/or the Wilsonville Broadcast Network (WBN)’s editorial team. At The Paw Print, we publish editorials to communicate ideas or opinions we believe are important for the Wilsonville High School student body to read and be informed of. All published editorials are endorsed by the WBN editorial team, consisting of the editor-in-chief, managing editor, five section editors, broadcast manager, and the show producer. Feedback and letters to the editor are always welcome. Email Editor-in-Chief John D’Souza at [email protected] with questions or comments.

– John D’Souza, Editor-in-Chief, Wilsonville Broadcast Network (WBN)

This story originally appeared as the editorial in The Paw Print: Volume 9, Issue 3 on April 11th, 2025.