Freedom of the Press: Crash Course Government and Politics #26

Today, Craig is going to finish up our discussion of the First Amendment with freedom of the press. Like an individual's right to free speech, the press has a right, and arguably responsibility, to tell the public what the government is doing. But of course there are some complications in doing so, like if that information will compromise national security or wrongfully discredit an individual. When considering Edward Snowden's NSA disclosures or Julian Assange's Wikileaks, it's just as important as ever to understand the role of the press in informing the public as well as our role as citizens in staying informed.
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[@electromika]

Oh goodie another crash course to fill my addiction for knowledge.

[@MrJethroha]

The only way to keep government honest is to be always skeptical of it. Led effectively a nation can accomplish great a terrible things. The press has for the most part given up this role as skeptic, so until they take up that responsibility, folks like Snowden are all we have.

[@Thindorama]

MrJethroha the press used to be foremost in skepticism back in the day

[@JuanDVene]

+MrJethroha Perpetual skepticism doesn't automatically make a government more effective. How is a government supposed to get anything done if its own people is always distrusting it? Also, the press is skeptical about everything. I don't know where you got the part about it giving up this role. Depending on which side the current government leans to, press from other side is always there to nitpick, contradict, and insult it. I don't mind skepticism, or criticism, but it seems like everyone today distrusts his own neighbor. How is a country supposed to work if there is no trust within its own politics?

[@MrJethroha]

JuanDVene sorry, when i said the press had given up the role of skeptic. i meant that they are no longer earnestly looking for the truth. Large news organizations largely follow the establishment of whatever party to which they adhere, and smaller press do whatever will get them views, sometimes even if its a lie. There aren't a lot of thorough, professional journalists looking for the truth. By constantly skeptical I mean the government should never feel finished. They are our public servants, their job is to execute the constitution and solve national issues. However they have been more involved in *creating* issues for their own personal gain. The democratic process only works if people outside the system go in on a regular basis and tell politicians what's what. Power is a corrupting force on even the most upstanding people.

[@JuanDVene]

MrJethroha I guess you're right, but I also feel that it's not as much corruption as it is stubbornness. But that's just me. And while the government does have a lot of power, we have to remember that they are still humans with limits. I'm sorry if I sounded more rude than I meant to.

[@MrJethroha]

JuanDVene nah its cool man. the government gets me heated tho. p.s. don't underestimate the power of group think, congress is super vulnerable to that junk.

[@mamapapa1995]

Spy vs Spy reference at 2:17...ahhhh my childhood, lol.

[@amybyres9344]

I'm taking media law and ethics right now and your videos have helped dumb down some complex text, so thank you.

[@garettdavis4464]

4:35 The Mongols...

[@benaaronmusic]

Garett Davis What a sneaky mongol!

[@nixelpixel]

Meanwhile in Russia... sigh

[@1234kalmar]

nixelpixel In Soviet Russia, the News watch you!

[@MaskinJunior]

1234kalmar Try to RT that to RT

[@1234kalmar]

The what?

[@MaskinJunior]

1234kalmar RT short for retweet, is also short for the Russian news station RT.

[@1234kalmar]

MaskinJunior Oh, I see. Well, it's just an internet joke, so it'd be weird to bother them with it.

[@klattalexis]

"Whistleblowers keep us honest" I like this!

[@thedondo100]

I love it every time he punshes or slaps the eagle

[@sallymanohar733]

As part of my college's newspaper, we solely depend on the management for our circulation and funds and we do not have the freedom we are entitled to, because honest journalism would make the students' lives more easier as we are basically the link between the students and the management. However, as we reflect the overall "image" of the college, we all sit together and screen all of our reports so that we do not compromise the instituition's public image in any way. And it is disheartening that in fear of being banned, we have to skirt around the vital stuff that we ought to be writing about. The main cause for the restriction of press is a single person's/government's tyranny of maintaining the self proclaimed reputation that the person thinks they are compelled to maintain.

[@jacqueline8288]

James Madison's smile at 1:53 scarred me for life

[@melovekittie]

I'm glad Craig stopped with the odd voices. I love this regular style a lot more and now really enjoy this show.

[@chillsahoy2640]

Mongols are the exce-...oh...I'd better not finish that sentence, otherwise I may be sued for libel.

[@Redragonclaws]

Nope. You're probably thinking of trademark law.

[@LittleSolarSystemOfficial]

Mordin Solus Lol...That joke veered off-road quickly

[@someguywithatophat7599]

Excellent videos. A total of about 20 minutes and I clearly understand the first amendment.

[@krombopulos_michael]

It kind of does seem like there do need to be more ways for the press to also be held accountable for what they say. When you think about it, the whole point of freedom of press is to make sure that citizens can be informed about important things and can know the truth. But when the press are basically allowed to print lies or misleading statements, that's really no better than them being prevented from printing the truth.

[@FollowerofDuck]

i love how my gov teacher assigns your videos for homework

[@jackiearteaga2439]

love this series! very precise and to the point without over complicating, and perfect case references and explanations. thank you!

[@renealexander3205]

Thank you so much, this saved my social studies grade 🙌🙌🙌 Also pro tip if any of you are taking notes put the playback at .75 cause he talks very fast

[@EugeneKhutoryansky]

Great video. Thanks.

[@sheritrivane7455]

Thanks Craig. I'm showing this video to my Community College students on the first day of our Introduction to Mass Communication class.

[@Vhailor_Mithras]

THAT'S IT! I said I would take the eagle punching personally next time you did it AND I AM! ...you hurt my feelings...

[@ballsarecold]

I'm surprised that explicit material wasn't covered, that was always an interesting part of freedom of the press

[@tehEngineer3]

2:08 KurzGesagt! Awesoooome!

[@TheTundraTerror]

Well, this is an interesting coincidence considering recent actions with Gawker.

[@lindsaymargaret1508]

Did anyone else notice the pop-up Mongol when Craig said "there are exceptions..."??

[@aharder5765]

We are the exeception!

[@jasons44]

QUESTION, ARE YOU A LIBERAL?

[@Wolfenkuni]

QUESTION: Can you sue for a counter statement? In Germany you can go to court and force a newspaper TV-show etc. To print your version of a story in case the original story was not true or missing points that make you look bad. Personally I think this is a good way of dealing with the thin line between the personality rights and the free press.

[@LuwukaW]

From now on I'm calling you Actual Malice. Say hi to Reckless Disregard for me!

[@luciogoncalves7322]

Great Video, fun way to learn this information. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@PokeTrainerMody]

I like that you have a lisp and still make youtube videos. I also have a lisp and I never dare record videos/ public speak because I feel embarrassed

[@Alverant]

I think there needs to be an episode about the "association" clause because not many people understand it and what it means. I hope you go back and address it.

[@lamajoudieh8919]

thank you so much you are great help..

[@ELLPD316]

Thanks for the crash course.

[@MeaniepieRoo]

Sweet! Taking ap gov this year, def gonna use this series

[@NOAHisEpic1]

This is fascinating

[@TheFireflyGrave]

Great episode. Say hello to Reckless Disregard for me.

[@SittingGuy]

Love those animations!!

[@kuntamdc]

Craig! Do reviews at the end of your episodeeessss!

[@carlosfelipe9821]

Thanks cc

[@stevenwills4660]

Can We get a UK version.

[@lilaluft]

Steven Wills why would that be necessary?

[@joshsatanson635]

lilaluft UK goverment works very differently a there is a significant number of Brits that watch crash course

[@cheeseymisdirect]

***** typical american attitude, no one else exists, no one else is important.

[@notnormalyet]

***** I'm an American and i would be interested in knowing more about the UK government.

[@lilaluft]

cheeseymisdirect eh, you could say the same thing about the British!

[@LearnWithTed]

its amazing what you can fit into a 7 minute video, i learned some things, was reminded of some things and honestly enjoyed it. smiled at some jokes :P keep it up!

[@Geotikid]

When school has u watch CrashCourse 😍😍😍😍

[@SovietHampsterLord]

Adjusting for inflation, Teddy Roosevelt sued them for just under two bucks. Only he can sue someone in such a bad ass manner.

[@davidkimlive]

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Freedom of Press is quite broad and perhaps over-reaching but we 'tend' to 'have' good faith on the press to tell us the truth and the whole truth. Also cost might be outweighed by the benefits.

[@thetreoman]

John Greens version of this is so much more fun.

[@Leolukpeu]

you should give that eagle a break next episode :)

[@amirkhaan7388]

Craig: New York Times vs Sullivan Me:JAMES P SULLIVAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@myles483]

pls do a Human Geography course

[@Holobrine]

I suppose a possible way to get around the libel issue is by having an interview with someone, because then it's freedom of speech.

[@alyssaradtke6726]

I love the Mongol cartoon that peeks out for the exceptions! throwback to World

[@PanicbyExample]

craig has really come into his own with his presentation on these vids... "freedOM OF *SPEECH*" :)

[@malamati007]

A huge question is: "What is 'the press'?" Today, just about anyone can set up a website and claim to be a member of "the press"--no matter what their training, their intent, and their lack of "press credentials." It's very likely that there will be big disputes in future as people who wouldn't have been considered members of "the press" in the past, try to get the protections that are guaranteed under the First Amendment and "freedom of the press."

[@whitenat000]

Did anyone else see the Mongol at 4:36?

[@AlexeiKremliovsky]

How in the world did you see that?

[@nobleknight7472]

4:35 I saw you Mongol!

[@nRADRUS]

the name of the ̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ national sec ! )

[@gl1500ctv]

Maybe a convocation of eagles killed Craig's family when he was a little boy, and this is his way of dealing with it. It would have to be something pretty bad to justify so many punched eagles...

[@Kenzie_N]

How is that damn eagle not broken yet?!!

[@CreepyfishBOY]

Prior restraint? You mean like the stuff KZbin tried to pull in their new rules?

[@darrellconwell7687]

KZbin is not the government... yet.

[@memyselfandii257]

guys, here's a theory. All politic teachers make dad jokes... and all dads make dad jokes... all politic teachers are dads in disguise.

[@Moonbeam143]

I would not mind if Lil Bub got more Press. She's so darn cute.

[@MrLuizeu87]

I like when he hits the Eagle

[@lincolnpepper816]

anyone else find the ghostbusters reference?

[@bigred2989]

Going from the first amendment and skipping to the forth. Skipping the 3rd I get, but why the second?

[@GryphonHall]

Quite relevant again.

[@child9125]

What is that eagle made of?

[@josephang9927]

Today, it seems soon "hurting gay/womemn/black/trans/muslim" feelings will be illegal.

[@babybookworm003]

Steven doesn't have a bad idea after th U.S. government and politics series why not cover other countries it's always good to have a basic. Understanding

[@nathanpen1031]

And when the press is corrupt ... we are toast.

[@davidhefner5668]

The government, like the public, also has Freedom of the Press. It to does not have to reveal its sources.

[@Daniel-Rosa.]

Oh, missed opportunity to talk about Citizen Kane. There's just _a lot_ in that film this video could have used.

[@truboo4268]

What about freedom of petition and freedom to peacefully assemble?

[@medicwaffles]

I wish they had one about Georges Bizet

[@mjpanicali]

Save the Eagle!

[@stewart7521]

Do you do a crash course on UK Government laws?

[@Nick-yg9ql]

You said that there was a law that protected against wrongly accusing the media, could you please tell me which law that was? Could really use it for a paper i'm writing for my class.

[@redbird1113]

Hi CrashCourse...I'm showing this in my class today. We just got done learning about product placement in media so I know the kids are going to notice the really conspicuous Mac computer sitting on the desk in this vid. In the interest of full disclosure, are you able to tell me if you got $ from Apple for that? I initially thought "no" because PBS is a non-profit org, but then I know there's underwriting, so.... Thanks. Love these vids, BTW. My [college] class features a few of them. :)

[@JCResDoc94]

do you reckon its "kreg" or "craig"?

[@christophermartinez1366]

You're eyes are so clear that I would assume you just smoked a blunt before class. Normal people eyes aren't that clear Wheezy

[@IsawThisAlready]

Hah! Slapping bald eagles

[@DJLing]

Falcon Punch once again.

[@presidentevil9951]

Does the freedom of the press protect the right for private citizens to videeotape what is going on in a public place where there is no expectation of privacy?

[@JohnathanRHill]

Ghostbusters!!

[@frozenfeet4534]

I still wish this was specified as American Government & Politics, seeing as how it's so biased towards the now-outdated system of privatised capitalism currently ruining America.

[@laurensimon3562]

So what happens when we have abusive journalists using this law to shield them from prosecution? Especially if the work has no real merit?

[@milktea6676]

How does local news save people money

[@TheGorgeousdalal]

you speak so fast I couldn't understand a thing

[@dylan-np5hf]

pause button? arrow keys? even your mouse?

[@sebimoe]

I recommend "KZbin Playback Speed Control" extension for chrome (I'm sure you can find it for FF) - you can slow down or speed up the video in any increments (I recommend you visit settings and decrease the default increment of 25% to 5%)

[@TheGorgeousdalal]

thanks

[@darrellconwell7687]

Shift + < slows down the video and > speeds it up. Try it.

[@TheGorgeousdalal]

thanks!

[@LuciusAugustusRex]

You guys need to focus an entire episode on security, you can't just mention Snowden and julian assange at the end of an episode without discussing what they did and the moral implications of it....

[@george6696]

To explain Freedom of the press, instead of talking about if any country should have a Free Press, I will take it in front of an ordinary family, if you are the husband or wife with a family few children, you will take charge to pass on the conduct of code to your children, how to be brought up and to be a responsible citizen, will you allow some next door neighbour keep banging on your door, and trying to get in your family circle, and telling your children what to do, criticizing their father and mother, and telling them to uprise, listen and follow your advice, the answer is no one will allow you to interfere with their family fair, so no country should interfere with other countries policy.

[@nikkipizur5813]

Rip lil bub

[@ultimategamer876]

Why are you not doing freedom to petition? That's basically the right to lobby and that seems a pretty hot topic at the moment. If you're not doing it, then it seems a missed opportunity to elaborate and clarify an often misunderstood topic.

[@alexanadamasu]

What is supposed to stop publishers (the press) from outright lying?

[@DumbBassDreams]

Trump.

[@sherijim]

Please stop punching the eagle

[@charlietuba]

The Exception the Mongols!

[@dakerbal]

what about gag orders?

[@rebelstudios8191]

Freedom of speech:I feel bad for that eagle and

[@Svartalfgeist]

Can you make videos about history again?

[@Ram09123]

exception and we get mongols... I love this

[@Walzounet]

Murican : "Yeah but fuck Manning."

[@moncompte1527]

Why are you speaking so quickly? Your video is interesting but it's impossible to concentrate on the content.

[@ColonelMarcellus]

You hear about "Watchdog Journalism" , but who watches the watchdogs?

[@joybreegaming8781]

Uhh other watchdogs

[@milktea6676]

1:02

[@offbeat4772]

That glorious moment when KZbin says 302 views

[@wholeNwon]

Would be nice if these were directed at something beyond the 7th grade level.