Blog Post #3: Eight Values of Freedom

When reflecting on the Eight Values of Freedom, one that really resonated with me was the Marketplace of Ideas (Discovery of Truth). When written and was famously said, "The truth will ought." It is vital that all ideas and opinions are shared and listened to, even if people do not agree. It is up to us, the citizens of the US to pick what we choose to believe in and not have the government choose.

If the government were to interfere, this would be considered a market failure. One example that showcases the importance of this value would be how COVID was handled in the United States.

One of the leading causes for this mess was Dr. Fauci and his team of doctors who cared more about people listening to his opinion instead of trying to help people get better. Dr. Fauci and the Biden administration did not allow other medical professionals to talk to patients and the general public about getting early treatment for COVID.

They also hid the fact that the COVID vaccine caused abortions in pregnant women because he only cared about people taking the vaccine, not actually recovering from this virus. The Biden Administration discouraged discourse in the marketplace which, in return, left many people uneducated on how to properly take on this virus; unfortunately, many people died because of their actions.

This value of free expression continues to be extremely important in our society because we live in a democracy where we can share our different opinions without being reprimanded by our government. The Marketplace of Ideas allows everyone the ability to converse, debate, and decide their own beliefs. Even so, this could lead to reform in country because it can spark change, such as women getting the ability to vote, which started from protest.

Another important Value of Freedom is Check on Government Power. This includes the Federal, State, and Individual structure which is part of the checks and balances. We, as a society, need to take on that watch dog role and check our government when needed.

A huge part of this would be journalists who have a duty to share stories no matter the cost or backlash they receive. The press is not supposed to be an arm to the government but an adversary instead. In the past decade, journalists have catered to the ideas of the government instead of criticizing them for their mistakes which is the opposite of their duties.

If people do not check government power, at some point the government will become too powerful and the people will not have any influence. These two values go hand in hand because they both discuss the importance of freedom of speech and making sure people voice their opinions, even if it not the most popular belief. If US citizens continue to challenge the government, it will prevent censorship from taking over our country.

Blog Post #2 Supreme Court Reflection

 

The US Supreme Court building.

Before watching this video, I knew the Supreme Court was the highest court in the United States, but I did not fully understand how much influence it has or how selective it is in choosing cases.

One of the first things I learned is that the Court is made up of nine justices who review petitions submitted from around the country. What surprised me most was the number of cases they turn away. The Court receives about 7,000 new cases each year but only accepts around 100 of them. I had no idea the selection process was that competitive.

Another interesting point was how the justices interpret a Constitution that is more than 200 years old. Even though the document was written centuries ago, the Court continues to apply it to modern legal questions. That responsibility alone shows how important the Court is to the American government.

I was also interested to learn that Supreme Court justices serve for an average of 16 years, and many remain on the bench even longer. Because they serve for such long periods, their decisions can have a lasting impact on the country.

Supreme Court Justice John Marshall

The video also highlighted the importance of Chief Justice John Marshall, who became chief justice in 1801. His most famous ruling came in Marbury v. Madison, a case that established the Court's power to strike down acts of Congress that are unconstitutional. During Marshall's time, the Supreme Court gained respect and became a more influential institution.

One takeaway that stood out to me is that the justices do not always enter discussions with fixed opinions. In conference, they discuss the cases and can change their views as they consider different arguments. I found that aspect of the decision-making process especially interesting.

Overall, the video changed the way I think about the Supreme Court. I now see it as much more than a court that simply decides legal disputes. It is a small group of justices making decision.

AI DISCLOSURE: This post was a collaboration using Microsoft Copilot. I took detailed notes while watching a 20 minute video about the history of the Supreme Court. In addition to facts that I learned, I emphasized my own reactions and opinions while watching. I then asked Copilot to help me improve the text by correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation. I then asked Copilot to help me shape the text into a blog post format. After reviewing the text, I added links to related resources, as well as, appropriate images and captions.

Blog Post #1: My Top Five Sources of News and Information

 As a communications major, I believe it is important to take an impartial role in where I get my information and to make sure that I check multiple sources when coming across important news.  It is crucial to make sure I am 100% accurate in my findings, so misinformation or propaganda is not being spread.  

1. 1. TikTok

1. TikTok would be my number one news outlet since that is the app I spend the most time on. There are a variety of different people and opinions that can come across one’s For You page, so I can get information from many different angles.  Being able to access any videos in a matter of seconds with multiple POV’s is a great way to stay updated and in the loop of what is happening in the world.  I would recommend TikTok to someone as a news source because it is one of the most popular apps in today’s world and is one of the easiest ways to receive new information in a matter of seconds.   

TikTok - Make Your Day

2. 2. NY Times

1. Another great source that I turn to often is the NY Times.  Since I began learning about the news, the Times has been one of the most famous newspapers.  They have always employed experienced journalists who cover a wide variety of topics, from pop culture to international incidents to everything in between.  Their reputation precedes them and usually their articles are unbiased. I would recommend this to someone who does not know that much about the best places to get their information, since the NY Times reputation precedes them. 

2. The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos

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3. 3. X

1. X or as many know it, Twitter, is another great source of information to check up on.  Being able to follow many different journalists, hashtags, or sites is an easy way to stay in the loop on current events in the US and around the world.  X has a wide range of people who use the app, so there are many different perspectives and opinions being voiced.  Being able to have notifications turned on is beneficial for those who want fast updates brought to their attention. 

X. It’s what’s happening / X 

4. 4. Instagram 

1. I would recommend Instagram as another source of information because similar to TikTok, it is a very popular app where people can tailor their algorithm to their wants or interests. Instagram can provide that visual aspect that readers may not get from certain news articles, so it is a different experience for viewers.  Instagram also has fast updates that can be searched quickly with many different topics, brands, celebrities, experts, and others putting out information.

Instagram

5. 5. AP news 

1. AP news is another news station that is a reliable and a more traditional source compared to some of the others.  There are experienced journalists who write there and are fact checked to make sure misinformation is not being spread to its readers.  One aspect of the AP news that I find helpful is that at the end of every month there is a short video of the most important news stories that occurred for that month.  That way, if someone had missed important updates, there is a recap to watch with pictures, videos, and captions to grasp the full concepts and stories.  

Associated Press News: Breaking News, Latest Headlines and Videos | AP News