Alan S. Austin
Arizona Playwright • Writer • Poet
  

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS (8/15)

Ray Himmelberg's letter complaining about the media's whining about Trump calling the press the "enemy of the people" ignores two issues: firstly, that the phrase is inciteful, even more so when it comes from the mouth of the President and provides the unhinged and violent with motive and encouragement, and secondly, the phrase was used by Stalin to describe the press or anyone who dared criticize him. His record on the murder front stands for itself, as does Putin's. Mr. Himmelberg would do well to look at the list of reporters killed worldwide every year in the pursuit of finding out the truth and reporting the news. Perhaps The Az Republic would invite him to their offices to experience the levels of security they need just to come to work. Maybe he could listen to a few of the death threats, the obscene phone calls and vitriol, which the reporters receive on a daily basis. Perhaps then he would appreciate the need for the collective voice of the Press.

The Press and the Law are two vital pillars defending us from tyranny and keeping us free. Anyone complaining that the press is "the enemy of the people" because they disagree with what they publish should paste "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely" on the front of their computer as a reminder of what happens when too much power rests in the hands of one man.