On the Fourth of July, Americans celebrate Independence Day and the birth of the United States of America. ABF President Nancy Schiller had the following words to say on the occasion:
Two weeks ago, while in Washington, D.C., I took a long walk to visit several of the monuments to America’s history. The World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Seeing each in the early quiet hours was a special privilege and a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many for the freedoms my country enjoys.
In its 242-year history, policies have changed and office holders have come and gone, but what is unwavering is the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The First Amendment guarantees the five freedoms:
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of the Press
Freedom of Assembly
Freedom to Petition the Government
I’ve been thinking about the First Amendment because of the many challenges the free press is experiencing in America, in Bulgaria, and in other parts of Europe. The spread of fake news has consequences, as does government suppression of independent media. Both limit the ability of the public to make informed decisions based on the free flow of information.
Free press is a cornerstone of a democracy in which government is held accountable to the people. As stated by Thomas Jefferson, “The only security for all is in a free press.” Many of Bulgaria’s own Founding Fathers—Hristo Botev, Petko Slaveykov, and Lyuben Karavelov—were members of the press. And Bulgaria’s first constitution, the Tarnovo Constitution of 1879, affirms: “The press is free. No censorship is admitted.”
It is my privilege to lead the America for Bulgaria Foundation as we endeavor to represent the true spirit of America and live up to the aspirations of America’s and Bulgaria’s Founding Fathers.
The challenges we face are similar, and we will continue to build on the longstanding legacy of goodwill and friendship between the American and Bulgarian people as we attempt to overcome them. And overcome them we will—because imperfect as it is, democracy is worth it. Democracy will only prevail if it is underpinned by a strong, free press.
