Defending journalism, despite its mistakes

[BridgeTheGap]

Two hundred and thirty-five years ago tomorrow, the founders of this country declared its independence. “Let facts be submitted to a candid world,” Thomas Jefferson wrote, introducing the litany of offenses by King George III.

The facts were already well known in the colonies, because newspapers had published them. The Declaration of Independence didn't mention the right of expression, but the Continental Congress had made clear in earlier communications that the freedom to speak and publish was central to Americans' theory of government: that it must have the consent of the governed, who must have the freedom to organize and petition for redress of grievances.

Those freedoms, and the freedom of religion, were formalized in the First Amendment to the Constitution. The founders realized that a free press, not just free elections, was needed to communicate the wishes of the people and hold government accountable.

Today, too many Americans believe that the news media are in cahoots with those in government, or those who want to be in it.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110703/COLUMNISTS12/307030027/1016/opinion/Al-Cross-Defending-journalism-despite-its-mistakes?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|s