The above quotation comes from the incomparable Winston Churchill, of which, we don't hear and thereby take to heart often enough nowadays this important and vital wisdom, so necessary for the sustainability of a vibrant as well as an informed general public. It must be remembered, that whomever controls the narrative, is in the cat's bird seat, of manipulating and thereby effectively controlling the direction of the general population's proclivities, which is of immense value for those governments that would prefer to see nothing brokered, and desire to keep their population instead within the rails of their orthodox party line.
Not only is the free press of vital importance to the people, but those people need also to be active participants in their own country's affairs and thereby be engaged to that which does their governance on behalf of them. After all, if the supposed representatives of the people, aren't really representing their best interests, then the people will so duly suffer. So too, it is essential that we be attuned to hearing our news from outside sources, as well as from independent voices that are collectively beholden to no particular party or entity, so that we can be informed of what is really going on, around us, in our name. For it must be acknowledged that no matter how much a given government or corporate entity claims that they are fine with dissent and contrary opinions, the truth is that in regards to the perceived interests of those that are its actuators, such dissent is neither encouraged or welcomed.
Further, it has to be recognized that each of us has their own viewpoint and therefore their own opinions on a variety of topics, and anytime in essence, that those that represent the free press, are restricted in what and how they are to discuss certain subjects and report upon them, then that is the equivalency of censorship; and therefore, this is an infringement of our essential right to free speech.
So too, it has to be acknowledged that one informed voice, alone, only has so much influence; whereas the free press because of its structure is able to potentially reach a vast audience, and thereby to motivate, influence, or inform a number of people, of that which is of interest to them. Further, there are some people that are stationed within governmental auspices, or of corporate entities, that have a dissenting opinion, or information that they would like to see get publicized, for in many a case, they know things, that the general public does not, and they believe that they have a civic duty to enlightened the general public about such. This thus signifies that the free press also operates as a viable outlet to bring the light, to that which has been hidden in the shadows.
It is vital for the people that the free press be independent from those agencies that would try to influence it for their own agenda, for the press has a needed duty to be a bastion of defense, as well as of necessary information, that as its core, provides to the people the type of content, that is accurate and detailed enough that an informed opinion can be achieved, so that a free people can freely formulate their own opinion about matters that interest them. The purpose of a vibrant free press is to remind us that we should never want to be a nation of lethargic sheep, but rather we are meant to be a nation of informed citizens, that know how to think for themselves.