The True “Enemy of the People!”
Investigative journalism is defined as follows: “Reporting, through one's own initiative and work product, matters of importance to readers, viewers or listeners." (University of Missouri journalism professor Steve Weinberg). In many cases, the subjects of the reporting wish the matters under scrutiny to remain undisclosed. “An investigative journalist is a man or woman whose profession it is to discover the truth and to identify lapses from it in whatever media may be available. The act of doing this generally is called investigative journalism and is distinct from apparently similar work done by police, lawyers, auditors and regulatory bodies in that it is not limited as to target, not legally founded and closely connected to publicity. (British media theorist Hugo de Burgh (2000)) (http://dictionary.sensagent.com/Investigative_journalism/en-en/)
For some time now, journalism, not just investigative journalism, has been under attack in this country, not to mention around the world. A politician, any public servant, gives up the right to “secrecy and privacy” in public service matters when they take the oath of office. All elected officials are constantly scrutinized by the 4th Estate, our Free Press. Anyone who can’t handle that has no place in public service.
The Free Press has not only the right but also the RESPONSIBILITY to shine a light on everything that our elected/appointed/hired officials do and say in our name. The media is NOT of ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE! These men and women risk their lives every day to protect us from anyone who would lie, cheat, and steal while in our service. They are the heroes of democracy! The only ones who despise them are those who have something to hide or who do not understand the critical value and importance of a Free Press! Perhaps they don’t belong in office! THEY ARE THE TRUE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!
“The last right we shall mention, regards the freedom of the press. The importance of this consists, besides the advancement of truth, science, morality, and arts in general, in its diffusion of liberal sentiments on the administration of Government, its ready communication of thoughts between subjects, and its consequential promotion of union among them, whereby oppressive officials are shamed or intimidated, into more honorable and just modes of conducting affairs.” (Continental Congress: Letter to the inhabitants of Quebec, 1774; quoted by Justice Brennan, Roth v. U.S., U.S. 476 (1957).
Robert Butler
P.O. Box 193
Marmaduke, AR 72443
501-827-3792
