Politicians are abusing the court system to legally censor the media by disguising it as protection to law enforcement. Recently, a three-judge panel temporarily halted protections for journalists and legal observers in Portland, Ore. This means that a journalist doing his/her job covering the civil unrest in that community can be arrested for simply being there.
As journalist it is our right and job to defend the First Amendment. Terms such as fake news thrown onto credible journalists discredits our First Amendment, our Freedom of Press and Speech. Mainstream media being discredited for reporting facts is irresponsible on the part of our political officials who have vowed to protect our rights. If politicians censor fact and truth what will our country become?
As the watchdogs of society, journalists fact-check politicians and government authorities in order to deliver truth to our citizens. If the government can create sanctuary cities for rifles, firearms and weapons of war why can’t they advocate for the freedom of speech and press?
Politicians and the government fear less for their lives against guns and weapons of war and more of what the press has to say about them. It is our job to protect the rights citizens have to stay informed about government action.
Although journalists may not bear weapons, they bear words of truth, some of which can be just as effective or even more so than arms.
With the recent protests over police brutality people who are simply expressing their right to protest granted in the First Amendment are suffering, being tear gassed and ambushed with rubber bullets for no other reason than government censorship. Journalists should not be subject to abuse for exercising their First Amendment and doing their job.
We need to protect our First Amendment to uphold the integrity and transparency of our government. It is crucial to protect one of the values our country was founded on. Safe guarding our First Amendment is the only way to secure the future.
