The Good/Evil of a Free Press

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Birthplace of Independent Conservatism

The following quote, short as it may be, is instructive in its truth.
"To get the inestimable good that freedom of the press assures one must know how to submit to the inevitable evil it gives rise to." --Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1835

A free nation, in order to remain free, must forever preserve and protect a press unencumbered by government regulation or oversight. This, by necessity, must include the internet.

On the other hand to remain a free people requires members of a free society remain ever informed and vigilant. The dangers in a free press rest in the fact there are those who do not report the news {truth} but rather their interpretation {twisting} of the news {facts} in order to further their own agenda. The evil of which Alexis de Tocqueville spoke lies in in the foregoing statement.

Opinions developed by one after analyzing a set of facts is the responsibility of each individual in a free society. Given that facts can be interpreted differently by different {and intelligent} individuals, based on their experience and biases is why we have diverse opinions and views on all issues.

The point I suppose is to read and digest information from all sources and viewpoints. Conservative, moderate, and progressive. Then honestly evaluate and decide for yourself what makes sense.

Conservative, moderate, and progressive reporters of the news have all been guilty at one time or another of editorial excess. Sorting out the truth requires work and a desire to remain free to enjoy the liberties given us by our founding documents.

In this independent conservatives view that is how one "submit(s) to the inevitable evil it gives rise to."

You may be interested in this informative article. You the thinker be the judge.

Cross posted to the Left Coast Rebel

Discussions @ Memeorandum

Comments

  1. AnonymousSun Jan 23, 12:14:00 PM EST

    The 'free' press is so often the corporate press - which we have seen exemplified by the swine flu and global warming hype.

    It is almost a given that people will allow their opinions and proclivities to influence the way they write and the particular slant they will put on an article. That's free speech and let the buyer/reader beware.

    I take exception, though to the purchasing of 'news' space in the media by corporations whose budgets exceed those of national governments.

    There was a time when newspapers depended largely on circulation - the purchase of newspapers supplying most of their revenue. Now, they are far too reliant on being mouthpieces for the corporates.

    How we can put a stop to that, I don't know - apart from halting globalisation and then, re-enforcing our monopolies and mergers laws which prevent companies from acquiring more than a decent percentage of the market.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Les CarpenterSun Jan 23, 11:49:00 PM EST

    PERHAPS it is time to return to a less intrusive government. A government that is restrained by respecting the integrity of the constitutional restraints put in place by our founders.

    By the same token perhaps we need to rethink the influence both unions and corporations have on our body politic.

    There is no question, at least in my mind, that too big to fail is a myth, and crony capitalism... government subsidy to businesses must stop.

    At the same time the military industrial complex must be reigned in and our interventionist foreign policy begun by Woodrow Wilson and accelerated after WW needs to be reevaluated.

    ReplyDelete

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