We Need Freedom of the Press, and Howe

We Need Freedom of the Press, and Howe

Edmonton - Thursday, June 20, 2002 - by: Ron Thornton

democracy
We are proud of the fact we live in a democracy, where we get the opportunity to chose our leaders and where a free press is allowed to herald and interpret events. Unfortunately, others see things in a way that falls a little short of the ideal.

elected
representatives
We seek Parliamentarians who are more independent of their political bosses, who vote on behalf of their constituents so that the will of the people might be represented. I'm sure the Prime Minister would agree if he wasn't so busy demanding letters of loyalty from his MP's and coercing members of his Cabinet to support his bid for a renewed mandate as leader of his party. Then again, we do live in a "Liberal" democracy.

1835
We seek freedom of the press, believing that trust lies with having access to the truth. The truth was important enough to Joseph Howe when he criticized government officials in Nova Scotia, only to be charged with criminal libel. His victory in that 1835 case established the precedent that even the highest official in the land was not immune to published criticism or reproach.

both
sides
Balanced reporting, looking at both sides of an issue, is the hallmark of journalistic integrity. To disallow criticism merely for partisan reasons, whether such censorship is enforced by the government itself or by powerful private citizens, would seem a betrayal. Real news reporting is subservient only to the truth. Anything else is just propaganda and spin doctoring.

analysis
Obviously not everyone can handle the truth, but I think most of us want to see responsible government made even more responsible by those entrusted with providing a balanced analysis of events.

Ron Thornton

References:

Biography of Joseph Howe

Confederation for kids, biography of Joseph Howe

Historical biographies, Nova Scotia - Joseph Howe



We Need Freedom of the Press, and Howe

Edmonton - Thursday, June 20, 2002 - by: Ron Thornton

democracy	We are proud of the fact we live in a democracy, where we get the opportunity to chose our leaders and where a free press is allowed to herald and interpret events. Unfortunately, others see things in a way that falls a little short of the ideal.

elected representatives	We seek Parliamentarians who are more independent of their political bosses, who vote on behalf of their constituents so that the will of the people might be represented. I'm sure the Prime Minister would agree if he wasn't so busy demanding letters of loyalty from his MP's and coercing members of his Cabinet to support his bid for a renewed mandate as leader of his party. Then again, we do live in a "Liberal" democracy.

1835	We seek freedom of the press, believing that trust lies with having access to the truth. The truth was important enough to Joseph Howe when he criticized government officials in Nova Scotia, only to be charged with criminal libel. His victory in that 1835 case established the precedent that even the highest official in the land was not immune to published criticism or reproach.

both sides	Balanced reporting, looking at both sides of an issue, is the hallmark of journalistic integrity. To disallow criticism merely for partisan reasons, whether such censorship is enforced by the government itself or by powerful private citizens, would seem a betrayal. Real news reporting is subservient only to the truth. Anything else is just propaganda and spin doctoring.

analysis	Obviously not everyone can handle the truth, but I think most of us want to see responsible government made even more responsible by those entrusted with providing a balanced analysis of events.

	Ron Thornton
References:
	Biography of Joseph Howe

	Confederation for kids, biography of Joseph Howe

	Historical biographies, Nova Scotia - Joseph Howe