Biden says press freedom is critical to government in speech in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Vice President Joe Biden is telling an Ohio newspaper group that a government can't function fairly and transparently without freedom of the press or expression.

Biden spoke Thursday at the Ohio Newspaper Association's convention in Columbus. It was the Democrat's second visit to the political bellwether state in less than a month. He was in the Columbus area last month to talk about college affordability.

Biden says that journalism continues to be a critical element to democracy in the country, despite the industry's struggles and changing times.

The vice president said the American people need the facts -- including what he called "the inconvenient facts" -- to be able to judge their government.