Provide an example of how a free press is an essential component of a democracy

Free press is essential since the government does not control the press.

Step-by-step explanation:

For example, the Untied States has free press so authors can spread information (whether for good or evil) while other countries like China control their press and access to press outside of their country, making it much harder for citizens to see the world from another perspective rather than what the government is willing to tell them.

Since the United States is a democracy, it is important to allow their citizens to have the right to speech and the press if people want to form opinions of their own.