"A country that “allows” people to write negative stuff — or anything else that may irritate those in power — is called America," tweets ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl. "The freedom to do so is enshrined in the very First Amendment to our Constitution."
"It's sick,” Trump said, “I mean, there's something wrong with a country that can allow people to write purposely negative stories.”
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) September 20, 2026
A country that “allows” people to write negative stuff — or anything else that may irritate those in power — is called America. The freedom to do… https://t.co/bbfXYwuUnh
The press has freedom, freedom that shall not be abridged. Congress shall make no law so abridging, the First Amendment declares. It may do what Karl suggests in his commentary, irritate those in power. But that could be a positive sign that it is serving the United States and the people well. One of the most important purposes a free press has is to hold a check through information and truth on those who hold power. It could be, in some cases, the only protection against widespread corruption, citizens lacking vital information, or abuse of power in government.
No person likes to have negative written or broadcast material published about them. But freedom comes as a double-sided coin. Lies can and should be exposed as such. If negative material lacks foundation, freedom facilitates it being overcome by the truth. Accuracy does this. An accurate press can relegate to obscurity those who disseminate lies and false material. The false lacks corroboration and substantiation, making it inherently vulnerable to skepticism and disbelief. The truth can then set free those about whom lies are propagated and those who consume reporting. This is one of the most important aspects of American society, and it is why any abuse by the press is a heinous wrong.
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With press freedom comes press judgment. Not everything that can be published should be published, particularly when it is something of little news value that may do more harm than good. The press holds an obligation to work and not merely regurgitate every piece of information that comes across the wire without judgment.