“A Republic, If You Can Keep It”: Press Freedom and the Risk of Authoritarian Drift in America-

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

“A Republic, If You Can Keep It”: Press Freedom and the Risk of Authoritarian
Drift in America-

By Imam Nadim Sulaiman Ali
When Benjamin Franklin was asked at the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 what type of government the delegates had
created, he answered simply:
“A republic, if you can keep it.”
Franklin’s words were both an affirmation and a warning — a reminder that the survival of self-government depends not on the
brilliance of a founding document, but on the vigilance of the people it governs.
In modern times, one of the pillars of that vigilance has been an independent press — a source of reliable information about how
power is exercised, and a forum for the public to scrutinize government and society. The First Amendment explicitly protects freedom
of the press for this reason. Nearly 250 years after Franklin’s remark, events in the United States have raised serious questions
about whether press freedom is being eroded, and what that could mean for the future of American democracy.
Undermining Credibility: “Fake News” and Attacks on the Press
In recent years, the term “fake news” has become a weapon used to cast doubt on reputable news organizations. When established
reporting is labeled as dishonest or partisan simply because it presents inconvenient truths, the public’s ability to distinguish credible
information from misinformation weakens.
The Founders understood the necessity of a free and independent press. They enshrined it in the First Amendment because they
recognized that citizens need accurate information about their government in order to govern themselves. When public confidence in
journalism erodes, that foundational understanding is undermined.

Questions About Constitutional Authority
There are also ongoing debates about the role and authority of the U.S. Constitution itself. Some modern thinkers argue that the
nation is in a post-constitutional era — a claim that, whether intended or not, can be used to justify sidelining constitutional checks
and balances, including the protections of the press. People like Russell Volker one of the authors of Project 2025, and groups like
The Heritage Foundation attempt to misconstrue the meaning of the constitution to normalize right winged ideology in this society.
Efforts by advocacy groups or political commentators to reinterpret or revise constitutional principles are not inherently illegitimate —
the Constitution allows for amendment — but when such efforts dismiss or devalue long-established constitutional norms, including
press freedom, they raise concerns about the balance of power and the safeguards meant to prevent authoritarian control.
The Importance of Credible Information
The decline of traditional newspapers and the shift toward digital news consumption have fundamentally changed how Americans
receive information. Online platforms offer immediacy but also fragment audiences and create environments where misinformation
can spread rapidly.
Independent journalists, including those who have moved to digital platforms like YouTube or Substack, play an essential role in
providing diverse perspectives. Attacks on journalists — whether they occur through legal means, public derision, or efforts to
delegitimize their work — threaten the ecosystem of information that a functioning republic depends on. These journalists may be
the saving grace for this republic. Those that oppose these outlets will seek to silence them by various means. It is essential to
make sure independent journalism survives partisan attacks on a free and unfettered press.
When credible information becomes scarce or mistrusted, other forces — including sophisticated misinformation, deepfakes, and
unregulated artificial intelligence — can fill the void. This not only hampers public understanding but also weakens democratic
accountability.
Historical Context: Controlling Narrative and Power
Control over information has long been a tool for those seeking to shape public perception and consolidate power. History attests to
the actions of authoritarian rulers who seek to limit the just flow of information.

Efforts to influence how history is portrayed — for example, through decisions about what is displayed on federal land or how topics
like slavery and civil rights are interpreted — reflect a broader struggle over national identity.
A free press serves as a check against such control by documenting events, challenging official narratives, and preserving records
that future generations can examine. Without it, powerful interests could shape the story of the present — and the past — to their
advantage.
Checks on Access to Information
There are also ongoing concerns about limits on journalists’ access to information. Policies that restrict reporting on national security
issues, or that require pre-screening of stories related to government operations, can create environments where transparency is
diminished in the name of control rather than necessity. When journalists are discouraged or blocked from observing and reporting
on official actions, the public loses its window into how power is exercised.
Why Press Freedom Matters
A free press does more than report events; it informs the public, holds power accountable, and contributes to a shared reality
grounded in evidence. It acts as the first draft of history, capturing how societies respond to crises, how leaders make decisions, and
how people organize for change.
When journalists are attacked, discredited, or constrained, the consequence isn’t just discomfort for reporters — it’s a diminished
capacity for the public to understand what is happening in its own country. In such an environment, misinformation can flourish,
polarization can deepen, and authoritarian impulses can find fertile ground. The recent arrests of journalists Don Lemon, and Georgia
Fort while covering a church protest is the virtual canary in the coal mine for American journalism.
Conclusion: Vigilance in a Changing Era
The United States has weathered profound challenges — from war and social upheaval to systemic injustice and political
polarization. Throughout these trials, the protection of civil liberties, including press freedom, has been a touchstone of the
democratic experiment.

Benjamin Franklin’s warning remains relevant: a republic is not guaranteed; it must be actively preserved. Ensuring that the press
remains free, respected, and capable of fulfilling its role is central to that task. Without access to credible information, the republic
risks not only misunderstanding its present, but misremembering its past — a condition any informed citizen would recognize as
perilous to the future of self-government. In essence we cannot allow the press to be depressed!

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

Kofi Bilal Mahmud Eid AlFitr 1443 A.H.

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