What would America look like without the press?

At first, this question seems too far-fetched to merit consideration. America is a country founded on the freedom of the press, which is not only an intrinsic aspect of our culture but also a fundamental right enshrined in the First Amendment of our Constitution.

And yet, the actions of our current president bring that very question to the foreground of national attention.

President Donald Trump has continuously attacked the media as “fake news.” In August, Trump called the majority of the press the “enemy of the American people,” and in July, Trump supporters shouted “CNN Sucks” at a Trump rally in Tampa, Florida.

So far, that campaign strategy seems to be working. Trump appeals to to the human instinct to dismiss difficult truths rather than to confront them, to antagonize journalists rather than to listen to them. Denial is, after all, an easier path to take.

It isn’t, however, the path of progress.

As journalists, our role is to be the truth-bearers. Our position is that of the watchdog for the people, not the enemy of the people.

And as Harker students ourselves, we care about this community just as much as you do. Our job on this campus is to dispel rumors and bring awareness to the stories that need to be told. We bring light to the important issues that we, as students and citizens of the world alike, must confront by providing timely news and credible information.

Our staff includes students from all corners of this campus—artists, mathematicians, entrepreneurs, scientists—which only further ensures our diversity and an accurate representation of all viewpoints.

In return, we also work to honor the members of our community, students, teachers and faculty alike, through Humans of Harker and the Meet Your Teacher Feature series, among other projects.

At the end of the day, it’s still unclear as to whether Trump’s words will truly have an effect in the political realm. We also don’t know if it’s changing the way our readers view Harker Aquila. Yet, today, we continue to ask for our readers’ support because we maintain an important position in Harker’s history. And, we hope you care enough about this community to realize that, too.