Article 21: Freedom or Prison
This is part 21 of a series. Go to the 1st Paper for the first part.
Daily Blurb
Febuary 24, 1779
We thank all who have sumbitted
The freedoms of speech & of the press that has been granted by the government. This has been one of the most important and one of the most longed for acts in the history of news in Vision. Despite its benefits, the small law. had certainly caused some large controversy. We have decided to hear from people and listen to their opinions on the new freedoms that have been granted.
Grant Mece: Capital of Forcastle, Male
This freedom of the press is revolutionary in nature. Its main purpose is to help ideas spread quicker. This will let the populace stay informed and will be useful when we make certain decisions such as voting. It will help democracy. It is just beautiful that people can write whatever they want. This will foster trust and community. The freedom of news and information has no backsides.
Forra Moray: Province of Eirtum, Female
The problem with free speech is that people have already begun to spread lies and false rumors. At the current rate, it will soon get to the point where it would be better to have no information. The bankers, especially Jamile King, can influence the newspapers. And, if you control what people know you control what people think. Then, you control the people themselves.
We cannot let Vision fall into the hands of the bankers and lawyers. After all, is a country that lets the rich hold sway and better than one owned the aristocracy? If papers can print whatever they want, and they take full advantage of it as we have seen, then what is to stop them from being bribed. This has also started to happen. We cannot let newspapers be merely an arm of the rich or of the government.
After all, there is also morality. Many of the papers currently circulating contain some things that could be considered morally reprehensible. Not only are there some things that are not true, but it is also possible that there are some things that simply should not circulate. Should those be allowed as well?
Gareth Masou: Province of Teren, Male
I would first say I am happy to write again.
There are benefits to the strange new law. A boy in me village just started to make his own paper. Our people all read it. I’m proud of him. I worked with him. Was there for him. We all worked together for him. He got an education for it, just like me. O’ course, he also made sure to completely learn the language. It is a brilliant thing, it is.
But, something bad is happening. There are a lot of fancy papers run by rich lawyers. They are also saying some nasty stuff, not all of it is true. This is what happens when you let some lawyers run free with the press. I do not like lawyers.
But, even with lies and lawyers, I’m glad our own Agrog could start his on paper.
Teresa Chairou: Province of Bagzida, Female
I believe that the benefits of the newfound freedoms of speech and of the press outweigh the results. With newspapers constrained, one does not receive a clear and balanced representation of the news. I know that the Daly Blurb was walking a razor’s edge by allowing us to say whatever we wanted. It had to reject some submissions that were even more heated than the ones posted.
Allowing newspapers to be free and write and publish what they wish lets us stay more informed which can only be of benefit. I am a lawyer and did not realize that many thought us all to be counter to the provinces. I learned that many of the seats in the provinces are given to lawyers and bankers because of our wealth. This saddens me.
I know many lawyers and the qualities that make one a good lawyer does not necessarily make one a good leader. That is not to say that lawyers can not make good rulers, but that wealth status and privilege do not alone make one fit to lead. Knowing this I did not choose to be a member of the temporary council. Instead, I devoted myself to helping members of my province who had unjustly fallen target to those in the capital or in government. The truth helped me and shaped me.
The news can unite us. It can lead us. Even though some of what it may spread is false, the things that are true can make all the difference.
If you have compliments, critique, or just want to start a discussion, feel free to comment below!
