The founders wrote frequently about the importance of a free and independent press (media) and it's role in helping to ensure we are never again subjected to government tyranny. A free and independent press was recognized and acknowledged as key to maintaining our freedom. So much for good intentions.
The 'press' referred to in the early years has morphed into a whole range of media that, in addition to 'press' in those days, includes radio, TV and internet news sources. So 'free and independent press' applies to them all in principle. Problem we have today is that, instead of protecting us against government tyranny (over-powerful government and/or political party) we find the press and other media will often champion, facilitate or turn a blind eye to the very encroachment on liberty they were 'socially contracted' to shine a light on and help resist.
Indeed, the right to free speech guaranteed in The Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the constitution) was meant to include that freedom for the press. In fact, the media consistently claims that constitutional protection for itself and frequently wraps itself in it. That would be fine if they did that in order to protect The People's interests but, too often now, they use it to protect their own narrow and politically biased views, agendas, interests, and objectives.
Case in point. We, the residents of one of the four largest populated areas of Rep DeFazio's district were denied the opportunity to hear him and his opponent defend their positions and qualifications. The local newspaper not only didn't fight for a free and open local forum to happen as Mr. DeFazio agreed to with his opponent, they published criticism and ridicule of his opponent for insisting on it. We the citizens who elected and pay Mr. DeFazio were robbed of our right to hear him square off against his opponent. That's a loss to both Republicans and Democrats. A little more detail is appropriate to explain it.
There are four general areas of population in Rep DeFazio's US House of Representatives district, Eugene, Roseburg, Medford (including Grants Pass), and the coastal area near Coos Bay. There were candidate forums between Mr. DeFazio and his opponent, Art Robinson, planned and scheduled in all four locales. Mr. Robinson preferred a debate format (in which the candidates debate one another in classic debate format) over a 'forum' format (which only collects questions from the audience that both candidates answer however they wish). The incumbent, Mr. DeFazio insisted on a 'forum' format and Mr. Robinson agreed to it on condition that it would be open and free to the public in all four locales. Mr. DeFazio said he agreed that the people deserve to have an open and free event so he agreed to Mr. Robinson's one condition.
Turned out that three of the areas had completely open and free forums but the one in the Roseburg area was limited to those with connections to the Chamber of Commerce and there was a $20 fee to pay for the included lunch. It was, in fact, closed to the general public. When Mr. Robinson rented the room next door and requested that at least the speakers be turned on in that room so the public could hear what was said, his request was flatly refused. It's no accident that this happened in the area of the four where Mr. Robinson enjoys his greatest support and Mr. DeFazio receives his greatest opposition. That was bad enough in principle, especially since Mr. DeFazio agreed up front that all four forums would be open and free.
Worse, the local newspaper, the News Review reported only on the complaints from the Chamber meeting attendees about Mr. Robinson insisting that "Mr. DeFazio tear down this wall" between the two rooms. So far, the newspaper has said nothing in support of having it be a completely free forum open to the public. No criticism of Mr. DeFazio for not living up either to his agreement to a free and open forum or to his obligation to do so as the person having been elected and paid by the people who wanted to hear the candidates square off. As our elected representative he is obliged to provide us the opportunity to hear him defend his record and ideas for the future. The Roseburg area has had NO forum between these two candidates for the US House of Representatives and the local newspaper seems to care less. Many have argued that this paper tends to be biased toward Democrats and strongly against Republicans. This situation would seem to confirm that. So much for a free and independent press!
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