The “marketplace of ideas” was first cultivated by John Stuart Mill and applies to a key part of the ideals that led to the “Enlightenment” in the 17th and 18th centuries , during the libertarian theory. The concept of a “marketplace of ideas” is based on the belief that “truth” emerges from the competition of ideas, in a free and transparent public forum. The “marketplace of ideas” is a rationale for free speech and expression, with the idea that free speech should be allowed, because it will lead us to the truth. John Stuart Mill's book “On Liberty” justified the freedom of the individual as opposed to total authoritarian control. In the introduction to “On Liberty,” Mill lists the first three fundamental liberties in order of importance, placing the following as most important: Freedom of thought and emotion. This includes the freedom to act on that thought, i.e., freedom of speech. Mill's idea in correlation with the ideas espoused by other leading figures (Milton, Locke, Paine, and Jefferson) of this historical period led to revolutions, which brought forward the libertarian era. This new era was based on new philosophies in which man was deemed rational and capable of thinking for himself. The press became an ally of people seeking the truth, the press also became “watchdogs” holding government systems accountable. The “marketplace of ideas” would become a significant part of journalism and is still present and in effect today. One could argue that the “marketplace of ideas” has gone mad. As technology continues to advance, we witness the ever-changing adaptation made to journalism and its techniques. They are no longer the educated journalist, or the rich publisher, the only ones to denounce our d...... middle of the newspaper ...... an Assange "Wikileaks". John Stuart Mill was not alone in believing that free speech would lead to truth. According to Wikipedia, John Milton suggested that limiting speech was unnecessary because “in a free and open meeting” the truth would prevail, and US President Thomas Jefferson argued that it is safe to tolerate “errors of opinion… where reason is left free to fight It." We too see Fredrick Siebert affirming in “Four Theories of the Press” the idea of ​​free expression as “self-correcting.” It is safe to say that we are in the most democratic position to date regarding the journalism and our access to information in the Western world, but the future of the press remains unknown. One can only hope that the "marketplace of ideas" continues to be useful to our growth and development, and does not prove fatal. for our press and its future.