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[ti:The Power of the Press]
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[00:01.44]Lesson 45
[00:03.45]The power of the press
[00:12.29]Does the writer think the parents were lucky or unlucky to gain prosperity in this way? Why?
[00:21.64]In democratic countries any efforts to restrict the freedom of the press are rightly condemned.
[00:28.83]However, this freedom can easily be abused.
[00:33.05]Stories about people often attract far more public attention than political events.
[00:39.27]Though we may enjoy reading about the lives of others,
[00:42.59]it is extremely doubtful whether we would equally enjoy reading about ourselves.
[00:48.43]Acting on the contention that facts are sacred,
[00:52.14]reporters can cause untold suffering to individuals by publishing details about their private lives.
[00:59.54]Newspapers exert such tremendous influence
[01:02.83]that they can not only bring about major changes to the lives of ordinary people but can even overthrow a government.
[01:10.81]The story of a poor family that acquired fame and fortune overnight, dramatically illustrates the power of the press.
[01:18.76]The family lived in Aberdeen, a small town of 23, 000 inhabitants in South Dakota.
[01:25.73]As the parents had five children, life was a perpetual struggle against poverty.
[01:31.24]They were expecting their sixth child and were faced with even more pressing economic problems.