The First Amendment is the beginning of our individual Bill of Rights. But, there is one right listed there that some would perhaps believe has nothing to do with individual rights: the freedom of the press. However, when you ponder upon the words, “or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition their government for redress of grievance,” one can surmise why the freedom of the press is vital to our individual rights. A free press is one that objectively keeps the people informed, educated, and able to discern infringement upon their constitutional rights. A free press sets the conditions for us to be citizens in a Constitutional Republic, not subjects in a tyrannical monarchy or system of rule. If we lose that objective press, one that is no longer free to speak to the truth, then We the People can be driven like mindless lemmings.