The war on media has picked up a lot of traction in the recent years, particularly due to President Donald Trump’s continuous attacks on the so-called “liberal and unfair” media. In response, the public has outcried that this is an attack on a key pillar of democracy, and a contributor to the president’s extremely low approval rating.

However, when the tables are turned, and those who criticize the president for shaming the media go on a rant about how a certain article is too biased, the logic does not add up. In fact, there is no law that says you must consider, read or agree with someone else’s ideas or writings, but there is an amendment that gives everyone their right to convey their ideas. So, if something is so abhorrent to you, don’t consider it and move on!

Free speech is a hallmark of the American democracy. For years, people have come to America to be able to say whatever they want without fear of government prosecution. With the increasing level of partisanship in the recent years, it has been tough for many to read, hear or see something they disagree with. Regardless, it is essential in any scenario to protect everyone’s right to free speech, even if the issue is controversial to one’s own ideologies.

Unfortunately, a common facilitator of this wrongdoing is the leader of this country. In a press conference, President Trump shouted at CNN reporter Jim Acosta after he asked a question, “No! Not you. No! Your organization is terrible.” Perfect example of what not to do. The president could’ve engaged in a thoughtful discussion with Acosta and brought up what he thought the organization was doing wrong. Rather, he tried to limit someone else’s free speech because he did not like what they were publishing.

Polarization of each political party has truly brought out anger from each side of the spectrum on controversial issues. Rather than a civilized discussion between two parties to figure out how to better society or iron out issues, there seems to be a shift towards yelling, accusations and inability to consider what someone else thinks. Discussion is a skill that has been on the decline in more recent generations. A cause of this is biased news networks; people typically gravitate towards networks that articulate points they agree with. The problem with this is people never hear things they do not want to, so when it comes to the real world, they do not know how to handle it.

Due to this indifference to reasoning of the other side, it introduces a danger to free speech itself. People may want to limit the opinions of those they do not agree with. This is the exact opposite of what America should be about. Different opinions and different types of people are lauded: America was intended to be a diverse network of different types of people. Limiting others’ viewpoints because you do not like it is hypocritical: you limit one’s speech, but want yours to flourish. By all means, call out people on hate speech or ignorance, but in a respectful way that does not take limiting free speech to a new height. For example, a group of LT teachers submitted a letter to the editor in response to a controversial Lion article from issue one rather than calling for Lion’s free speech to be limited.

This sort of “opinion shaming” has reached a new extreme. It almost seems that people can no longer consider what someone else has to say. Just like body shaming is an idea that makes people cringe, opinion shaming should fall under the same category. It should be frightening to our country that people’s viewpoints are being silenced. Never be afraid to say what you believe in. The right step forward to make everyone feel welcome to share their ideas is to be open minded by yourself.

This nation need not stoop to the level of someone who is criticized often for bashing the media and others with whom he disagrees. We must all take the high road, be civil and allow others to think, say and write whatever they want. This principle is a hallmark of this country and is included in the First Amendment because of its importance. Citizens of this country need to stay on target with what this country believes in: diversity and freedom of ideas. From this point forward, continue to appreciate and consider those ideas that are different from your own. In the end, you may disagree; however, know that America is the place to allow ideas to flourish.