Evan Gershkovich loves Russia. His family speaks Russian at home. He has lived in Russia for one-fifth of his life, working as a journalist for American and Russian outlets. Now, he is facing 20 years in a Russian prison cell on trumped-up spying charges.

Despite his ordeal, Gershkovich is keeping optimistic. Over the weekend, he wrote to his parents to tell them he is not "losing hope". He even found the courage to joke about the food - not so different, he says, from his mum's cooking.

For many, Gershkovich is a symbol of one of our most precious values: freedom of the press.

Throughout history, journalists have often lifted the lid on injustices and abuses of power. Emile ZolaA 19th Century French novelist, known for his role in the naturalist literature movement, aiming to to put the principles of science into art. exposed an anti-SemiticShowing hatred or prejudice towards Jewish people. conspiracy behind the conviction of Jewish soldier Alfred DreyfusA French soldier with Jewish ancestry who was convicted of treason in 1894 and later exonerated. in the 1890s, forcing French society to reckon with its treatment of Jewish people. 

And in 1973, journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein revealed newly re-elected president Richard NixonThe 37th US president, who served from 1969 to 1974. He was a Republican. 's involvement in a break-in of the Democratic PartyThe left-leaning US political party.'s headquarters. The so-called Watergate scandalA major 20th Century US political scandal, involving a break-in at the Democratic Party offices in 1972. It led to the resignation of the then-president, Richard Nixon. would force Nixon's resignation.

That is why many regard a free press as vital for a flourishing democracy. Yet according to the organisation Reporters Without Borders, only eight countries have established a "Good situation" for press freedom. And more than a third of the world population lives in countries with no press freedom.¹

Many journalists have paid the ultimate price for their work. More than 250 are currently imprisoned around the world, and every year dozens are killed.

But some say that while some journalists might be heroes, others have abused the rights of the free press.

In 1989, 97 Liverpool fans were killed in a crush at Hillsborough football stadium in SheffieldA city in South Yorkshire in England.. The local police force fed false stories to the press blaming the victims for their own deaths, which were widely reported.

The Sun newspaper falsely claimed fans had attacked police and robbed dead bodies. Later investigations found police and ambulance services responsible for the deaths, and the Sun was forced to apologise. The scandal permanently damaged the reputation of the press.

Yes: We call the press the "Fourth Estate" because it is a vital pillar of a healthy democracy. It is thanks to the free press that we know what is going on in government and can hold our representatives to account.

No: The heroics of a handful of journalists should not blind us to the fact that most journalists are willing mouthpieces for those in authority, who often use their own power against the public, not for it.

Or... Journalists have a complex craft. Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they fail. They are neither heroes nor villains, just human beings doing a job.