First Amendment Values and Trust in Media Are Critical in Current Election Year, Stuart N. Brotman Says in New Essay for Media Institute’s Madison Project

FOR RELEASE: July 31, 2024

Contact: Richard T. Kaplar
The Media Institute
703-506-8030

Vienna, Va., July 31, 2024 – Restoring confidence in First Amendment values championed by James Madison and enhancing trust in the media are especially important in this election year, says Stuart N. Brotman in a new essay released today by The Media Institute’s Madison Project.

“Honoring James Madison’s First Amendment Legacy” looks at the fourth president’s motivations in authoring the First Amendment, from his concern about the potential overreach of government to his belief that “the people are the only legitimate fountain of power.”

In current times, however, public opinion toward the First Amendment and public trust in the media are alarmingly low, according to statistics cited by Brotman.  For example, recent surveys find that 69% of respondents believe freedom of speech is off track and headed in the wrong direction, while 39% have no confidence at all in the news media.

Media companies and their trade associations have a critical role to play as beneficiaries of First Amendment freedoms – and indeed a civic responsibility as stewards of free speech and free press – to visibly support the First Amendment in multiple ways, Brotman says.

He suggests a number of actions media companies could take, from providing their local libraries with displays of First Amendment books to actively educating their employees about the First Amendment.

“If we devote proper attention and focus in this area, we all can play a part in keeping alive the profound lessons about the power of the First Amendment and its enduring values that James Madison left behind,” Brotman concludes.

Stuart N. Brotman is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at The Media Institute.  “Honoring James Madison’s First Amendment Legacy” is the latest in The Madison Project’s “Conversations of Note” series and is available online at https://www.mediainstitute.org/the-madison-project/.

“The Madison Project: Free Speech and Press in American Democracy” is underwritten by foundations, corporations, and others with an interest in media and communications, the First Amendment, and the preservation of American democracy.  Initial support has been provided by Verizon, LG Electronics, and Wiley Rein LLP.  For more information about underwriting opportunities, contact Richard T. Kaplar at kaplar@mediainstitute.org.

The Media Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization specializing in communications policy and the First Amendment.  Visit the Institute at www.mediainstitute.org.