Freedom of the press is enshrined in the the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. A well-informed electorate is foundational to democracy. Explore news media and journalism–related collection items from across the Smithsonian that date from the founding of the United States to the 21st century.
Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.
—Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 1786