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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.

Learn more about this author, Katrina Murphy.
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