Essay 1

Intro: value and purpose of a free press

Context (larger conversation)
thesis
Concept: information
Concept: interpretation of information
Concept: modernization?
Conclusion

- Information
- watchful citizenry -- people keep tabs on government and government knows it
(appreciate the power of the people--magna carta---right to overthrow gov. if
doesn't align with the peoples interests)
- What is the value of watchful citizenry?
- hold power in check--tow the line
- Dissent amongst the people if not lived up to expectations
- Exercise rights as citizens
- Ex: impeachment, dethroning of kings in
countries without divine right, democracy
- Interpretation of information
- How does the interpretation of information shape society through free
speech?
- Version of information grows public opinion
- Outrage of a tragedy
- Brings cultural change
- Sway public opinion based on facts or interpretation of
certain facts
- Propaganda (creative use of information to evoke
support or dissent for any given issue, usually
controversial)
- Ex: presidential campaign, gov influence on
immigration, motivation, war,
advertisements
- Modernization
- attention to topics that are uncomfortable but need to be talked about in order to
bring social/cultural change
- What kind of effect does modernization have on society?
- Make people uncomfortable
- Force discussion of issues we don't like to talk about to change
the mindset going forward into the future
- Tackling these issues with facts
- Look at all side of the controversial topics and reflect how
they influence the human condition
 - The human condition (why we feel about certain
topics--taboo topics)

Example of use of question fragments:

How does free speech unify society?
Free speech unifies society by providing information interpretations that act as agents of
social change.
The use effect of media, in terms of free speech, can be a very effective tool in shaping the way
we view our leaders. A prime example of this is seem in David Hoffmans novel, Citizens Rising:
Independent journalism and the Spread of Democracy. Hoffman illustrates how his multimedia
organization was effective in promoting Russian leader, president Boris Yeltsin, over his
communist competitor. Yeltsin was seen everywhere: barnstorming the country, mingling with
the people, issuing decrees and even dancing onstage. He was transformed back into a man of
action like the hero who stood on a tank and defied the military five years before. In the end, the
negative advertising campaign against the Communists and a newly invigorated Yeltsin gave
the president an impressive thirteen-point victory(Hoffman 31). The rebranding of leaders is
proud, tried and true method of unifying any society and providing proof that a political leader
has the hopes and wishes of their people at heart when that may not entirely be the case.
However the interpretation of information provided to the masses, when used effectively, the
information serves to unify society in one way or another.
Civilization is littered with interpretations of information, in everything from
advertisements to propaganda. The use of this information is to persuade the masses to form a
general opinion of a product or person. The prime hidden motivation is the pursuit of power or
financial gain,