Final answer:
The rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press provide a check on the government and help gather public opinion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press play an important function in the United States government. They provide a check on those holding government office by allowing citizens to criticize and hold them accountable. These rights also ensure that a sense of the local or national opinion about an issue is gathered by those in the government.
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