Blog #3: Values of Free Expression

The Eight Values of Free Expression gives a good way to think about free speech. The one value that seemed crucial is the "Check on Governmental Power," also known as the "Watchdog Role."

This idea, explained by Vince Blasi, basically explains that having a free press is very important because it helps the normal population know when the people in charge are not doing something right, and it gives a chance to vote them out if needed. It is so the media and the people can combine and control our democracy to make sure that things can continue to stay in order.

This value means a lot to me personally because it lines up with the core principles of democracy and makes sure that the people in this nation are living the right way. 

In our everyday world, we see this value in action all the time. The media is a way to uncover government scandals, corruption, and other problems that go against people’s rights. Freedom of speech shines a light on political issues, human rights issues, and environmental problems.

Another important contribution that the media adds to society, is that it lets normal civilians share information with others to make sure that information stays relevant, and to make sure that the news is approved. This value also connects with a part of technology that is seen everywhere in today’s society, and that is social media.

Social media has changed how we get and share information. It has allowed people to be much more involved in the world than people were even twenty years ago. It has drastically changed the way that society acts. There have been some proven benefits, but there have also been some downsides when it comes to free expression in today’s social media.

The “Watchdog Rule” theory explains why there are problems associated with social media in today’s society and why it can be viewed as a negative tool. 

 

Because social media is so vast now, it lets anyone be a journalist. It is so accessible to spread news that a lot of the time, it’s not even a second thought when something is sent. Since this is the case, it shows why freedom of speech is a way to keep people in check in society.

As seen in the “Watchdog Rule,” there are negatives attached to social media. It is seen commonly to have fake news, which leads to the spread of untrue stories. This is why the theory is important. It explains that, unlike the regular media, people need to learn how to tell what's true from what is not and how to think critically to make sure social media does its job well of informing the public.

 

Overall, the "Check on Governmental Power" theory is still important, even in the age of social media. It shows that the people still have a role in making sure that those who are in power stay in check, preserving democracy, and making sure we're all informed citizens.

By connecting this theory with the challenges and opportunities of social media, a better handle can be had on how technology shapes our democracy and keeps our power in line.

Blog #2: The Supreme Court

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Reading into the history of the Supreme Court, I found an interesting piece of information. The initial case of the Supreme Court's trial, West v. Barnes, was interesting to me because in its first case, the Supreme Court didn't tackle a large case. It was a regular financial dispute between a farmer and a family he owed money to. 

It's interesting to see how even the most important institutions can start off dealing with normal minute transactions. This reminds us that the United States was founded on democratic principles, where even the highest court had real and legitimate foundations.

I believe that the Supreme Court has many important takeaways, but among all the things we've learned, the most important takeaway is that it’s at the top of all federal courts in the United States.

The nations we live in today were entirely set up by the U.S. Constitution, and the Supreme Court’s main job is to make sure laws follow the rules in the Constitution. But it does more than that, it's a big part of the system that makes sure no one branch of the government gets too powerful. It can stop the President and Congress from doing things that go against the Constitution. It essentially is a barrier between right and wrong in our legislature. 

As I explored more information about the history of the Supreme Court, I found a surprising aspect of when it first was created. I found that Supreme Court justices had to travel all over the country. They had to hold court sessions twice a year in each judicial circuit, which covered a big section of the nation.

Back in that time, this much travel was considered vast, and it was not easy to travel all that way. It showed how dedicated the members of the Supreme Court were to making sure the law was followed, even when it meant dealing with tough travel conditions.

Once I read more about how the Supreme Court started, my understanding of how it shaped this nation has changed. It's made me admire its history more and appreciate how hard the people at that time worked and fought for what they believed.

Knowing that they mostly dealt with logistical issues at first shows that they were practical about getting things started. It also shows how the Supreme Court grew from its basic beginnings into a vital part of how America is run today.

This information made me realize how crucial the Supreme Court is in making sure the Constitution and the founding ideas of the United States are understood in today’s society.

Blog #1: News and Information

Tiktok: Tiktok is a platform that I have been using for a couple of years now to obtain important news and information. I’m not someone who often watches the news, so this app has been very helpful in gathering information about news around the world. Because the videos on Tiktok are only short clips ranging from fifteen seconds to three minutes, it's an easy way for people to quickly watch a video and move on with their day. There have been times where this platform has informed me of political issues, relevant court cases, and celebrity news. Tiktok is a great place to find information in video form, and is a great way for people to connect with each other to share current news.

Instagram: Instagram has been a very crucial outlet for news and information in our society today. This is an outlet I have used for a while now, and personally this has become the main source I go to for current information. News tends to surface the fastest on this platform, and it has become a way for people to share their own personal opinions publicly. This has become a place where celebrity figures can announce news and have the public respond instantly. It is a great way to obtain current information, and I highly suggest this as a useful source. 

The New York Times: The New York times is a great and credible source to find information. I personally do not check this source often, but I always know its there if I need information about a certain topic. You will always know that this source is reliable, therefore the details in the article are always true. It is easily accessible via the internet or a hand held copy, which makes it an easy source to find if needed. I highly recommend the New York Times as an outlet for news, as it has a large selection of topics and is a very credible source.

BBC News: BBC news is a broadcasting service that I discovered through a class in high school. It reports on news all around the world, which can be great for people who want to learn about international information. This source can be found on television, radio stations, or through their website. It is very credible and well known service that offers over 40 different language options as well. I would highly recommend using BBC news for information, and more specifically for people looking to find international news.

Podcasts: Podcasts are one of my favorite ways to be informed about news because of how easy they are to listen to even if you are busy. Whether you are cleaning, driving, cooking, on a run, podcasts are great to have on in the background. Because they are becoming more and more popular, there is a plethora of networks that can keep you updated with up and coming information. There is such a wide variety of topics to choose from, and many different people you can chose to listen to, making it easy to listen however you want, about whatever you want. I love listening to podcasts on a day to day basis, and I encourage others to use it too.