Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects the press from government control and suppression; Whereas the freedom of the press— (1) has been recognized as integral to the democratic foundations of the United States since the beginning of the United States; and (2) has endured and been reaffirmed repeatedly throughout the history of the United States; Whereas Benjamin Franklin in 1722 wrote, Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a Nation, must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech. ; Whereas Thomas Jefferson in 1786 wrote, Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost. ; Whereas James Madison in 1789 introduced the freedom of the press in the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of the United States; Whereas James Madison based the freedom of the press on the Declaration of Rights of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which in 1776 declared, The freedom of the Press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic Governments. ; Whereas President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 4, 1985, as Freedom of the Press Day, stating that Freedom of the press is one of our most important freedoms and also one of our oldest. ; Whereas President Reagan also said, Today, our tradition of a free press as a vital part of our democracy is as important as ever. The news media are now using modern techniques to bring our citizens information not only on a daily basis but instantaneously as important events occur. This flow of information helps make possible an informed electorate and so contributes to our national system of self-government. ; Whereas Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in International Soc. for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. v. Lee, 505 U.S. 672 (1992), The First Amendment is often inconvenient. But that is beside the point. Inconvenience does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech.