Fideri Celebrates America 250 with college scholarship essay contest: Meet our first winner

In honor of our nation’s semiquincentennial anniversary, Fideri News celebrated with an essay scholarship contest. 

Beginning February 2026, Fideri accepted essays from high school seniors across the region on a specific topic each month relevant to the 250th celebration. Essays were submitted by the 15th of each month and were then scored by the Fideri News Network America 250 committee with a rubric. The highest scoring essay each month then won a $1,000 scholarship and the top three essays were published on our Fidieri News website.

Now, to celebrate our nation’s birthday, we want to share those winning essays with our readers.

In February, our top prize went to Brianna Miller, a senior from North Penn High School located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. 

“Thank you so much for the scholarship,” said Miller in response to the news of winning first place. “I am extremely grateful and excited to use it to pursue higher education in political science and law. Special thanks to my AP Government teacher, the GOAT, Mr. Homan.”

Below is Miller’s full essay.

February topic: Explain why the media has been labeled the fourth branch of government. Is this an accurate portrayal?

The three branches of government, as clearly outlined within the US Constitution, are judicial, executive, and legislative. Each of them are inherently separate from one another to protect against corruption and concentration of power. These branches are each given divided authority within Articles I, II, and III to ensure that no single branch dominates the others. In Federalist 51, James Madison explains “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition,” which is why the framers of the Constitution created a system of checks and balances. This system is designed to protect the liberties of the American people. However, over time, there has been an emergence of power outside of those outlined, which is now being labeled as the “fourth branch of government”; the media. Although the media is not formally outlined within the Constitution as a formal branch of government, its influence on public opinion and political accountability has led many to view it as functioning alongside those recognized by the framers.

When the Constitution was written and these branches of government were established, the media was exclusively print-based. Newspapers and pamphlets were the primary means of communication. It required time, effort, and distribution for the American people to understand the current changes happening in the world and in the evolving government system. Even before widespread media became easily accessible as it is today, the framers still understood protecting the press was one of the most important, and most fundamental, rights of the American people. The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” This protection shows that while the media was not considered a branch of government, the framers viewed it as vital to democracy. A free press informs the public and prevents the abuse of power.

With modern day technology, media spread has become much more efficient and easily dispersed. News spreads instantaneously through television, websites, and especially social media. Connecting constituents with representatives has become as easy as mass emailing, posting online, or organizing digital campaigns.Those in office have also become acutely aware that their decisions and words can be recorded, shared, and criticized within moments. It has changed the way politicians communicate with the public and the way citizens respond to political actions.

As former President George W. Bush stated, “Power can be very addictive. And it can be corrosive. And it’s important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power.” The media has provided the American people with a powerful tool to hold those in power accountable for unpopular decisions and controversies. Through investigative reporting, opinion pieces, and widespread social media discussion, government actions can be brought into the national spotlight. When representatives make decisions that anger their constituents, the media can amplify that backlash.. This can effectively work as an informal check on representatives, as most rely on public support to be able to win reelection. In this way, the media functions similarly to a constitutional check. While it cannot veto legislation or declare laws unconstitutional, it can influence how the public perceives those in power. Negative coverage can impact election outcomes and damage reputations.

Modern media, more specifically social media, has influenced political discourse in new and complex ways. While it can increase access to information, it can also increase polarization. Echo chambers allow people to surround themselves only with those who share their political beliefs. Extremists’ voices can easily become magnified, and misinformation can spread quickly. Instead of promoting thoughtful discussion, the media can intensify divisions.

However, referring to the media as the “fourth branch of government” may also be inaccurate. Government refers to a group of people or system that controls or makes decisions for a population. The media does not collect taxes, pass laws, enforce policies, or officially interpret the Constitution. It has widespread influence, but not constitutional authority. Its power is dependent on public attention and trust rather than defined legal power.

The media has been labeled as the “fourth branch of government” because of its ability to sway public opinion, influence elections, and hold leaders accountable. It serves as an informal check within the American democratic system, protected by the First Amendment. Despite its unique influence in modern politics, the media lacks constitutional authority and formal powers to qualify as a true branch of government. It plays a critical role in democracy, but it operates alongside the three branches of government, not as one of them.