Question

How are freedom of the press and democracy connected?

Answer 1

No true democracy can flourish without a strong belief in the freedom of the press. Having the freedom to freely report news keeps everyone abreast of what is going on and that awareness opens the floor to things like debating on policy, learning things that should change in the government, or simply air grievances people might have in general.

When you begin having censors dictate what news the press should report, then it's no longer a government that concerns itself so much with its citizens as it might in controlling their opinions.