We champion truth, civility, and free expression — fostering open debate, informing the public with integrity, and uplifting our community above partisanship and sensationalism. Inspired by Franklin’s legacy, our news and commentary block stands as a principled pillar of democracy, dedicated to the honest pursuit of knowledge and the responsible exercise of press freedom.

Franklin would probably say that modern media reflects both the promise and peril of liberty: it preserves the right to speak freely but often fails the duty to seek truth responsibly.

Benjamin Franklin would likely have a complex and critical view of modern mainstream media — valuing its role in democracy but warning against sensationalism, partisanship, and the manipulation of public opinion.

Franklin’s Core Beliefs on the Press

Franklin was one of America’s first great newspapermen and defended freedom of the press as a foundation of democracy. He called the free exchange of ideas “a principal pillar of a free government,” arguing that without it, tyranny would prevail. He believed that when “truth and error have fair play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter”. For Franklin, open debate — even of unpopular ideas — was essential to an informed citizenry.​

Ethical Standards and Civic Responsibility

Franklin also held that the press had ethical obligations. In his Apology for Printers (1731), he cautioned against publishing “scurrilous and defamatory material” and insisted that printers avoid corrupting their profession for profit. He practiced restraint, refusing to “prostitute [his] press to corruption” even when personal financial gain was possible. He wanted journalism to uplift public discourse, not inflame division or pander to bias.​

Critique of Sensationalism and Media Power

However, Franklin was wary of how unrestrained media power could distort public judgment. He described the press as a “court” that, unchecked, might “rule tyrannically” — flattering public resentments and undermining rational civility. He warned that sensationalism and mediocrity could replace integrity and knowledge, resulting in a “new class” of journalists prone to influence rather than inform.​

Judging by his writings, Franklin would value the First Amendment protections that allow modern media to operate freely, but he would criticize the polarization, clickbait culture, and echo chambers dominating the 24-hour news cycle. He would likely warn that the public’s failure to hold the press accountable could allow media institutions to become tools of factionalism rather than public enlightenment.