The statement below was made by Thomas Jefferson in a 1786 letter to John Jay

"our liberty, which cannot be guarded by the freedom of the press"
How does freedom of the press guard liberty?
A. By allowing the news media to work freely in foreign countries
B. By allowing the government to gain free information from the news media
C. By keeping the news media from controlling political activities
D. By keeping the government from serving as the only information source
I am leaning towards C but I am not sure.

The two statements are contradictory. Do you have a typo in the first sentence?

No, that is how the question is. I am pretty sure though that it is C what do you think?

Your quote says that liberty can not be guarded by the freedom of the press. However, this is the original quote: "liberty, which cannot be guarded BUT by the freedom of the press."

The question asks how it can be guarded by the freedom of the press.

I think it is C, "By keeping the news media from controlling political activities" or D, "By keeping the government from serving as the only information source." Have a nice day.

To determine how freedom of the press guards liberty, let's examine the four options provided and see which one aligns best with Jefferson's statement:

A. By allowing the news media to work freely in foreign countries: This option refers to the freedom of the press in foreign countries. While it is important for the news media to function freely internationally, it does not directly relate to how freedom of the press guards liberty within a country.

B. By allowing the government to gain free information from the news media: This option suggests that freedom of the press allows the government to obtain information freely from the news media. While this aspect is important, it does not specifically address how the freedom of the press protects individual liberty.

C. By keeping the news media from controlling political activities: This option directly refers to how freedom of the press guards liberty. It implies that a free press prevents the news media from exerting excessive control over political activities, ensuring that individuals have the freedom to form their own opinions and make informed decisions regarding politics.

D. By keeping the government from serving as the only information source: This option suggests that freedom of the press guards liberty by ensuring that the government does not become the sole source of information. It implies that a diverse and independent press allows for a wider range of information and perspectives, which is essential for maintaining individual liberty.

Analyzing Jefferson's statement, "our liberty, which cannot be guarded by the freedom of the press," it becomes clear that he acknowledges the fundamental role of freedom of the press in guarding liberty. It aligns most closely with option C, as it emphasizes limiting the control of the news media over political activities, thereby safeguarding individual freedom.

Therefore, based on Jefferson's statement and the provided options, option C, "By keeping the news media from controlling political activities," is the most suitable answer.