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▪ Abstract  This essay's point of departure is the hallowed belief that democracy requires active citizens and news media that supply them with information they need to participate effectively in politics. The main features of this model of a functioning democracy, including the underlying assumptions, are tested and found wanting. Neither citizens nor media are capable of performing the roles expected of them. The appropriateness of these roles for life in modern societies is also open to question, as are the many myths and stereotypes that obscure the interface between media and democracy. The fact that democracy can persist despite citizens and media that fall short of the expected performance suggests that political culture may be more important than citizen wisdom and media excellence. Rallies in civic activism during crises may also be a major factor in the durability of democratic governance in the United States.

The relationship between the First Amendment stipulation of the freedom of the press, terrorism, & censorship is examined to determine the executive's guidelines for restraining mass media coverage of terrorist activities. After noting that previous presidential administrations have adopted three approaches to curtailing mass media reporting of terrorism (eg, formal censorship), it is demonstrated that the freedom of the press has generally been restrained during national security crises; indeed, several examples in which the federal government has censored the US mass media's coverage of certain events, eg, the Korean & Vietnam Wars, are cited to bolster this conclusion. It is speculated that the involvement of "embedded journalists" during the US's post-September 11, 2001, military activities essentially functioned as a novel strategy for restraining the mass media's reporting of US military actions. The viability of the George W. Bush administration's explanation that media censorship after September 11, 2001, was necessary to preserve national security is then assessed. Recommendations for establishing a policy that attempts to balance national security & government respect for the mass media's First Amendment rights are offered. J. W. Parker

This essay's point of departure is the hallowed belief that democracy requires active citizens & news media that supply them with information they need to participate effectively in politics. The main features of this model of a functioning democracy, including the underlying assumptions, are tested & found wanting. Neither citizens nor media are capable of performing the roles expected of them. The appropriateness of these roles for life in modern societies is also open to question, as are the many myths & stereotypes that obscure the interface between media & democracy. The fact that democracy can persist despite citizens & media that fall short of the expected performance suggests that political culture may be more important than citizen wisdom & media excellence. Rallies in civic activism during crises may also be a major factor in the durability of democratic governance in the US. 90 References. Adapted from the source document.