--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As Americans, we rightfully place…" description: "\"As Americans, we rightfully place tremendous value on having a free and independent press. Our role as journalists is to give voice to the voiceless, a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/lester-holt-12826_audience_as-americans-we-rightfully-place-tremend_1652769.jpg" --- # As Americans, we rightfully place tremendous value on… ![“As Americans, we rightfully place tremendous value on having a free and independent press. Our role as journalists is to give voice to the voiceless, and hold our leaders and institutions accountable. But the circle is only completed when that information is consumed by a free-thinking and engaged…” quote by Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/lester-holt-12826_audience_as-americans-we-rightfully-place-tremend_1652769.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/lester-holt-12826_audience_as-americans-we-rightfully-place-tremend_1652769.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/524/lester-holt-12826_audience_as-americans-we-rightfully-place-tremend_1652769.jpg) > “As Americans, we rightfully place tremendous value on having a free and independent press. Our role as journalists is to give voice to the voiceless, and hold our leaders and institutions accountable. But the circle is only completed when that information is consumed by a free-thinking and engaged audience.” [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A free press must be paired with an informed, critical audience to fulfill its democratic role. **In simple terms:** Press needs readers who think critically. Key Takeaway Cultivate an engaged, discerning public. Themes media democracy responsibility Mood informative motivational Type journalistic civic When to use this quote - news consumption - public debates - media criticism - journalistic practice Key Concepts civic engagement information literacy Questions to Reflect On - How can journalists encourage active readership? - What responsibilities do citizens have to verify news? A Different Perspective Audience apathy can undermine press impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Journalists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalists/) [Value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [I have long been a supporter of a free and independent press and I always will be. But with freedom comes responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-have-long-been-a-supporter-of-a-free-and-independent-press-and-i/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [A free and truly independent press - fiercely independent when necessary - is the red beating heart of freedom and democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/a-free-and-truly-independent-press-fiercely-independent-when/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [Newspapers, television networks, and magazines have sometimes been outrageously abusive, untruthful, arrogant, and hypocritical. But it hardly follows that elimination of a strong and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/potter-stewart/newspapers-television-networks-and-magazines-have-sometimes-been/) [Potter Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/potter-stewart/) > [Our democracy depends on a free and independent press. When politicians call reporting they don't like 'fake news,' they undermine trust in our civic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-smith/our-democracy-depends-on-a-free-and-independent-press-when/) [Tina Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-smith/) > [“James was the first great fighter for an independent press in America, and he was the most important journalistic influence on his younger brother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/james-was-the-first-great-fighter-for-an-independent-press-in-america/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [The most effective check and balance on government has been an independent press which maintains its credibility by ensuring that its criticism is balanced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-turnbull/the-most-effective-check-and-balance-on-government-has-been-an/) [Malcolm Turnbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-turnbull/) > [My British publisher has this independent press. It's pretty small; they actually won last year. And she's got this great energy, and she's fiercely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-beatty/my-british-publisher-has-this-independent-press-it-s-pretty-small/) [Paul Beatty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-beatty/) > [Once upon a time, an editor could try out one or two wacky books, knowing full well that their list would counterbalance any risk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-latimer/once-upon-a-time-an-editor-could-try-out-one-or-two-wacky-books/) [Andrew Latimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-latimer/) > [“The ability of a free and independent press to hold political leaders accountable is what makes open government possible—it is the heartbeat of democracy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-k-albright/the-ability-of-a-free-and-independent-press-to-hold-political-leaders/) Madeleine K. Albright > [To get out of desperate situation can only be done by education and by openness for Indonesians. Everybody who can, should be participating in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-vltchek/to-get-out-of-desperate-situation-can-only-be-done-by-education-and/) [Andre Vltchek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-vltchek/) > [It is almost superfluous to say that there is no such thing as a free and independent press among the mainstream news media today.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-baldwin/it-is-almost-superfluous-to-say-that-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-free/) [Chuck Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-baldwin/) > [The voiceless and most defenseless ones are the animals, so most of my attention goes to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-krupa/the-voiceless-and-most-defenseless-ones-are-the-animals-so-most-of-my/) [Joanna Krupa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-krupa/) > [To be patriotic is to be able to question government policy in times of crisis. To be patriotic is to stand up for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sami-al-arian/to-be-patriotic-is-to-be-able-to-question-government-policy-in-times/) [Sami Al-Arian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sami-al-arian/) > [“SHOW THE WORLD YOUR STRONG COMPASSION: GIVE YOUR VOICE TO VOICELESS YAZIDI GIRLS!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/widad-akrawi/show-the-world-your-strong-compassion-give-your-voice-to-voiceless/) [Widad Akrawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/widad-akrawi/) > [I am not anxious to be the loudest voice or the most popular. But I would like to think that at a crucial moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-not-anxious-to-be-the-loudest-voice-or-the-most-popular-but-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Lester Holt > [There are two economic realities in America in 2016. There's been a record six straight years of job growth, and new census numbers show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/there-are-two-economic-realities-in-america-in-2016-there-s-been-a/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [The share of Americans who say race relations are bad in this country is the highest it's been in decades, much of it amplified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/the-share-of-americans-who-say-race-relations-are-bad-in-this-country/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [ Candidates \[Hillary Clinton and Donald trump\], we look forward to hearing you articulate your policies and your positions, as well as your visions and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/candidates-hillary-clinton-and-donald-trump-we-look-forward-to/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [On more than one occasion, the camera has cut to me after a break as I'm still trying to swallow the last bite of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/on-more-than-one-occasion-the-camera-has-cut-to-me-after-a-break-as-i/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [I really bristle when I get called to events and people introduce me as one of the top black anchors in the country. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/i-really-bristle-when-i-get-called-to-events-and-people-introduce-me/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [I reluctantly soldiered on to the raccoon. It actually would have tasted quite good had I not had the image of a raccoon rummaging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/i-reluctantly-soldiered-on-to-the-raccoon-it-actually-would-have/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [You look at the Middle East, it's a total mess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/you-look-at-the-middle-east-it-s-a-total-mess/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [You can't exactly do it from your hotel room. It's the weather; you've got to get out in it. You're telling people that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/you-can-t-exactly-do-it-from-your-hotel-room-it-s-the-weather-you-ve/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [I think sometimes we lose sight of how powerful we are when we put someone on the news - for good or bad. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/i-think-sometimes-we-lose-sight-of-how-powerful-we-are-when-we-put/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [You know there's some great folks, great story telling at 'Dateline,' and I'm glad to be a part of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/you-know-there-s-some-great-folks-great-story-telling-at-dateline-and/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [For 30 years I've been schooled in everything from government, and economics, to medicine and international relations. But don't be impressed. Someone once said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/for-30-years-i-ve-been-schooled-in-everything-from-government-and/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [You look at the Middle East, you started the Iran deal, that's another beauty where you have a country that was ready to fall,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/you-look-at-the-middle-east-you-started-the-iran-deal-that-s-another/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [Not to get too deep on shaving my mustache, but it was kind of symbolic of, 'This is a moment of liberation, a chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/not-to-get-too-deep-on-shaving-my-mustache-but-it-was-kind-of/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [ One of the most important skills at \[reporting\] is not so much what comes out of your mouth but what you hear. To listen.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/one-of-the-most-important-skills-at-reporting-is-not-so-much-what/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) > [Everyone knows I'm black. I am who I am. This is the person that Lester Sr. and June Holt raised, and I make no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-holt/everyone-knows-i-m-black-i-am-who-i-am-this-is-the-person-that-lester/) [Lester Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) [Explore all 53 Lester Holt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-holt/) ## More Audience quotes > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It's those moments, those odd moments that you look for and sometimes by creating this kind of loose atmosphere you find those little moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/it-s-those-moments-those-odd-moments-that-you-look-for-and-sometimes/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [It's the adrenaline rush you only get from being in front of an audience. It's addictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-saadiq/it-s-the-adrenaline-rush-you-only-get-from-being-in-front-of-an/) [Raphael Saadiq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-saadiq/) > [If I had to speak in front of a Korean audience, I would be hard pressed to sound other than a little girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-na/if-i-had-to-speak-in-front-of-a-korean-audience-i-would-be-hard/) [An Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/an-na/) > [The liveness of theater, and the excitement of experiencing it alongside an audience, is something you can't get at home. That makes the theater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-blaemire/the-liveness-of-theater-and-the-excitement-of-experiencing-it/) [Nick Blaemire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-blaemire/) > [One of the things that touches me most when I play for an audience is that although we may be unable to communicate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hough/one-of-the-things-that-touches-me-most-when-i-play-for-an-audience-is/) [Stephen Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hough/) > [I have to feel the audience. I enjoy that feeling of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-have-to-feel-the-audience-i-enjoy-that-feeling-of-community/) [Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/) > [When you lived it for years and years and years and seen different characters just get pummeled and squashed because 'I said so,' it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arn-anderson/when-you-lived-it-for-years-and-years-and-years-and-seen-different/) [Arn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arn-anderson/) > [“During the first few minutes of your presentation, your job is to assure the audience members that you are not going to waste their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/during-the-first-few-minutes-of-your-presentation-your-job-is-to/) [Dale Ludwig and Greg Owen-Boger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. 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