An independent press plays an indispensable role in maintaining a representative democracy for which of the following reasons?

a. It is typically run by the journalistic elite, who are better equipped to know for whom to vote than the average citizen.
b. Without reliable information about the performance of officeholders, citizens would be hard-pressed to monitor their agents, and politicians would find it difficult to communicate with their constituents.
c. Otherwise consumers have few opportunities to be exposed to commercial print ads from various parties and candidates competing for elective political office.
d. The government has elaborate authority to initiate prior restraint.

b. Without reliable information about the performance of officeholders, citizens would be hard-pressed to monitor their agents, and politicians would find it difficult to communicate with their constituents.