The freedoms of press and speech are cornerstones of any democratic society, serving as catalysts for accountability and change. In the United States, the First Amendment of the Constitution explicitly safeguards these liberties: “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…” Despite these protections, recent events have tested the resilience of these rights both in the U.S. and abroad, particularly in Russia.
In Russia, the state of press freedom has dramatically declined under President Vladimir Putin’s leadership since the death of former President Gorbachev. The Frontline documentary “Putin vs. The Press” delves into the battle for independent media in Russia and focuses on Nobel Prize winner Dmitry Muratov. His paper Novaya Gazeta and many others were systematically dismantled, with journalists facing censorship, harassment, and even assassination. The war in Ukraine has intensified this suppression, as the government enforces strict control over war narratives, labeling any dissent as treasonous. This environment not only stifles political opposition but also enables human rights abuses. One of these abuses covered by Novaya Gazeta reported killings of homosexuals in Chechnya. The local Imam called his followers to the Mosque and called for a jihad against the reporter Elina Milashina and the papers entire staff. You actually take your life in your own hands when you report the news in some areas.
Conversely, the United States, often heralded as a bastion of free speech, has grappled with its own challenges. Former President Donald Trump’s frequent assaults on the free press—branding journalists as “the enemy of the people”—have eroded public trust in media institutions. Trump, much like the majority of the Republican Party has trampled on Free Speech with abandon. It is important to recognize that the suppression of speech is not solely a partisan issue. The Democrat Party has also contributed to a more restrictive environment for free expression. In this polarized climate, they often scream ‘misinformation’ when the other side disagrees with their opinions. Social media has joined this fight as the platforms have become battlegrounds for these issues, sometimes prioritizing sensationalism over substance, which on top of the ambiguity by the politicians themselves, complicates the public’s ability to make informed decisions.
The actions of these two nations underscores a universal truth: the freedom of press and speech is not absolute and requires constant vigilance. In Russia, the near-absence of these freedoms has allowed authoritarianism to flourish unchecked. In the U.S., while legal protections exist, societal, financial and political pressures have completely undermined the media’s role as a watchdog. Moreover, divisive debates over abortion and transgender rights have tested the limits of free speech in the U.S. Political factions on both sides have sought to censor opposing views, particularly in social media spaces, where “cancel culture” and de-platforming have become contentious tools for moderating speech.
This week’s investigation has been a revelation to me, there are intrepid reporters still telling the truth. I do not believe that every reporter is biased or evil, only constrained by the desires of their advertisers, government or the elite who direct most of what we see. So, what can we do to advance a liberatory ethics quest, as propounded by academic and philosopher Enrique Dussel? Using Dmitry Muratov and his team of journalists, we must relentlessly seek truth, especially when power attempts to suppress it. We should teach our media consumers to seek diverse and reliable sources of information, critically evaluating the content they engage with. As citizens, we should further look to Dussel’s teachings, so that our ethical commitment should be toward the liberation of all marginalized and oppressed groups. Together, by upholding the principles of free speech and a free press, we can foster a more just and equitable society where truth prevails over oppression and ALL have a voice.