Why is a properly functioning press important to the people of your country?

The term 'the press' is nowadays usually broadened to 'the media'.

The function of 'the press' (or 'the media') is something which depends on the point of ciew of the speaker.

Generally people pick some or all of the following...

* "to inform" * "to entertain" * "to record" * "to review" * "to analyse" * "to question"