Why is a free and open press important to a democracy?

A free and open press ensures that the government represents its people. Since the press is free to tell the truth about the government the government can be held accountable by its citizens. It prevents actions of government Propaganda not unlike the NAZIs of WW2 or current day North Korea. It puts the government in the eye of the normal man. They are not an untouchable entity that we have no control over.