Media being free by right

During the eighteenth century of America's history, newspapers were very important to the people because it bridged the gap between Great Britain and America. It kept the people informed and kept the people educated. It was the most successful business during that time... also free. A lot of the American people were already being taxed for trade, property, food and family. So they were pretty tired of being taxed so much that most people weren't making enough money unless you had a solid profession such as a doctor, publisher or a lawyer. So the paper was really all they had left that was untaxed, free and knowledgeable.

Congress then decided to pass another act that would continue to raise money to protect the colonies. 

The Stamp Act was passed in 1765 that put tax on every single piece of paper that went through the printing machine. That included the newspaper, letters and even playing cards. The people rioted right away and demanded that the newspaper, out of all things, should be illegal to tax. The people fought for that right for about a year and the Stamp Act was completely revoked in 1766.

This shows how powerful the media had an effect on the people then and today. We rely so much on the media to not only keep us cultured but educated on what is going on. Of course we, today, have different technologies of the media such as the T.V and the radio to keep us informed about the outside world but back then the newspaper all they had. Besides, at the time, the government was trying to take the money any place that they could but how can you charge something that is naturally free by right?