Controversial Opinions in Mainstream Media



Through a number of supreme court cases between 1919, starting with the Quartet of antiwar protestors, to 1931 when the Near rule was created, a clearer line was drawn regarding what is and is not protected by the First Amendment. According to Holmes in 1919, a variety of opinions and ideas is beneficial as it creates a marketplace of ideas in which the people have the freedom to pick the "best" one or the one that most closely aligns with their viewpoints. Additionally, the Near V. Minnesota case determined that to ban a publication would be a Prior Restraint and is seen as unconstitutional. Due to this, the authors published on both of these websites have the freedom to express their views no matter how far they may dissent from the common perspective or popular idea of the time. In the same way, news sources have the right to pick and choose what they decide to report on and ultimately, convey to the public. Unfortunately, the journalism and press industry is one of cut throat competition. News channels, papers, and websites NEED views and “followers” in order to stay relevant and thus, in business. If said news sources were not communicating popular viewpoints, they would likely find themselves in a deficit of readers/viewers and thus, income. This lamentable fact causes sources to be focused on the things that will elicit great content and support rather than actually aiding in the creation of a genuine “marketplace of ideas”. This factor alone may be the reason why many of us have never heard of authors such as Elizabeth Shakelford and Mark Perry found on Antiwar.com. Additionally, there may be an aspect of silencing or quieting certain viewpoints that do not necessarily fall into the category of incitement but still pose a particular threat to the status quo. Despite the fact that we as American people have the right to express our opinions publicly, not all opinions are conducive to the progression, and ultimately the agenda of the state and federal governments. In this way, news sources may avoid altogether certain opinions and authors that are known for controversy and thus, we may never become aware that these opinions and authors even exist.

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