The autonomy of the media or lack of is a sure way of measuring how free and progressive society is. Fair, unbiased journalism sets in stone the need for truth in a post-truth era; it should provide enough facts to allow citizens to make their own moral judgments.

In 1931 former UK Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin described the press as having “power without responsibility”. Whilst 2015’s Charlie Hebdo attack goes a long way to refute this claim, the recent ‘Cash for Ash’ scandal reminds us why having a press free from a political party whip or shade of an electorate is a vital component of democracy.

We have all experienced frustration with what’s termed “cheap journalism” on a slow news day, have read celebrities lambasted for weight gain and or set up in questionable scenarios.

Yet an array of journalists in Northern Ireland has shown that equilibrium of the free press is restored when hard facts are presented to the public to hold public figures and government to account. It is to this group of journalists that we owe much gratitude.

Firstly, let’s appreciate the work of BBC’s Spotlight investigation team in uncovering the NAMA scandal and pursuing the truth behind continued paramilitary control in working class communities.

It was the BBC’s Nolan Show that brought to light the comings and goings of the Renewable Heat Incentive saga, giving airtime to the civil servant who pinpointed flaws in the scheme after she was seemingly ignored elsewhere.

As the saying goes, the devil is in the detail; and credit must go to journalist Sam McBride and team at The News Letter with their long form writing which has allowed the more meticulous of readers to create the entire picture in their minds.

Whilst the media is generally considered an unforgiving force, they are a third eye that the public relies on. Their role in Northern Ireland is indispensable.

The reliable media outlets have shaken tribal lines, and are a source of hope in ensuring that green/orange politics here is suppressed for a more functioning, everyday issues-driven government.

For a long time they were the opposition when there was no official opposition at the Assembly. Now, more than ever before, the electorate are freer than they have ever been to exercise freedom of thought; through free press they are able to say ‘we deserve more than this’.