US Press : Freedom of press dies a slow death
"To the public, journalists are less respected than lawyers or salesmen. That’s according to a Harris Poll that lists the occupations Americans view as “most prestigious” —those that “most help others.” Even actors and entertainers are more esteemed. Why do so many Americans view journalists with contempt? Yes, we have had our liars and cheaters, and fabricated stories sometimes slip through. But with more than 1,500 daily newspapers and thousands of other news sources in our country, broad condemnation of the “liberal media” is as unreasonable — and unpatriotic — as blaming all U.S. soldiers for the abuses of a few at Abu Ghraib.
Government should not be in the business of defining what is “good” news. When American troops lacked body armor, the media covered this “bad” news. But it got equipment to our boys in the field.Studying journalism in Spain last year, I observed the proposition of a bill that would require journalists to be licensed by the state. If Americans grow much more cynical toward independent journalism, you soon may witness the same debate or, God forbid, the death of press freedoms right here in the country where they were born."
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