FREE SPEECH: Defenders AWOL

It’s stunning to consider that not only has the media become an obvious proponent for one side of the political system, but now it’s actually moving away from Freedom of Speech. Consider an event that took place the other day with The New York Times (article posted in The Press Nation section on June 8).

The article covered an editor resigning after posting an Op/Ed piece by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton. Cotton’s opinion was not received well by members on the Left, including employees of the Times. The Times concluded Cotton’s piece “should not have been published” and suggested too many opinion pieces were published by “outsiders.” Let that sink in for a minute.

A major media source is saying we need fewer opinions that differ from ours. Or in other words, limiting freedom of speech.

Some of you might be old enough to remember when the Democratic Party and major media sources were in favor of free speech. So what changed? Why are different opinions now considered threatening, hostile or frightening? Could it be limiting speech is required to control your thoughts in order to reach the outcome deemed necessary?

If voters were wrong in the last election (as the Times has told us repeatedly), controlling what you see, read and say should help you think the right way next time. This is truly scary and brings thoughts of Big Brother coming to life. If the media succeeds, realize our system of democracy is over as we know it.

M. BUZGA

Coeur d’Alene