To be a democracy, by the people and for the people, requires an abundance of informed voters.
The campaign seasons of hopeful government officials are notorious for an excess of advertisements through radio, television and every media outlet. We, the citizens, receive a bombardment of policy and background information, both for and against every candidate upon the ticket. We tune in to speeches and debates, in hopes of gleaning new information, yet we merely meet a different version of the same information. Truthful understanding of a candidate's position, policy and character requires direct questioning of their campaign platform by journalists and the public, thus making press conferences imperative to a democracy of informed voters.
Speeches and media advertisements are necessary to send a message and garner popularity, but unfortunately, they are scripted affairs that leave no possibility for unbridled expression, direct questioning or immediate opposition to information. A debate between candidates provides a larger window into personal and political objectives, yet moderators are sure to pose predictable questions to well-prepared candidates. Press conferences allow more room for genuineness than other mediums due to their capability of being slightly unpredictable and unscripted.
Government officials face daunting tasks and unpredictable situations; therefore, we must know their ability and character in handling less than desirable situations. We want strong leadership, yet we need to see a person in an uncomfortable circumstance for accurate assessment of their strength. All avenues of political campaigning pale in comparison to the power of a press conference in unnerving a person into their true form, if only momentary.
The press conference is the only instrument we have for direct questioning of objectionable practices.
As campaigns are apt to spread rumors, both true and false, the public desires a pro-active approach to confronting the issues that alarm us. We yearn to challenge candidates on the information their campaigns circulate about other candidates when our own research proves them false, as we want truth. We yearn for open discussion about practices, both negative and positive, within previous terms and employment, as we demand transparency.
Democracy, to most, is the ideal form of government for a citizenry and being as such, democracy is a fragile undertaking. History displays quickness to tyranny and oppression by governments as human nature promotes a lust for power. That which makes democracy work is the notion of checks and balances. As the power of democracy belongs to people through their elected representatives, we are responsible in ensuring all possible checks and balances remain in unyielding position.
Due to the fragility of democracy, we cannot merely rely on the information fed to us through advertisement, commentators, news programs and opinion polls. Regrettable as it may be, corruption runs rampant through all levels of government and society, from our local communities to the national level. However, journalism blesses us with the power to unearth the many calamities we face within our societal structure, so long as we exercise the power.
Our mainstream news programs seep bias information. As enjoyable as it may be for a conservative to watch Fox News or a liberal to indulge in MSNBC, the fact remains that popular news outlets no longer present us with nothing but objective news and information. In light of this, we desperately need means, such as required press conferences, for direct encompassing of information as we seek it and as it presents itself. As we are the voters of our elected representatives, we are entitled to information as sought and we are highly capable of forming our own opinions without the barrage of mass media commentators.
When candidates are available for unscripted discussion and questioning, we are better able to understand their character and intentions. We must see, firsthand, how a person interacts with the public and their aptitude for relaying agendas. As part of human nature, we own an inherent ability for better understanding others when given the opportunity for dialogue and, as voters, we deserve the right to distinguish candidates through our preferred and trusted means.
We are responsible for ensuring the dissemination of the most accurate and truthful portrayals that we may harness from our government's candidates to empower us with the ability of informed voting. As modern times provide the curtain for which corruption and falsehoods may hide behind, we must act to ensure that journalism remains an open forum for discussion. The requirement of press conferences provides us one more route to maintain the checks and balances within our beloved democracy.