The president is a poor representation of the United States. Is George W. Bush really the leader we want to head our country at this time? This is not a battle of good versus evil, but a time for reflection and opportunity to deal with this in the most peaceful of means.
The right to free speech is the cornerstone of American media and our society. Without this right we don’t have the ability to express thought nor debate ideas without the fear of imprisonment or other punishment.
But in light of recent events and a nationwide support for military action, those who question our government’s policy are quick to find scrutiny, resentment, ostracization, or even lose their job.
Those bold enough to express anti-war, anti-government and anti-Bush thoughts have come under the knife.
Many journalists in U.S. have paid the price of censorship with their integrity or their jobs for having such views legally allowed by the Constitution. These restrictions were not directly placed on them by government, but through the influence of advertisers that run papers.
In Texas, a columnist and editor for the Texas City Sun, Tom Guttiny, was fired from his position after he wrote a piece expressing anti-Bush sentiment. This comes after advertisers pulled ads from the paper and even more threatened to if he was not removed from staff.
In Hollywood, political commentator and comedian Bill Maher was criticized while advertisers pulled ads for his comments on government policy on his show “Politically Incorrect.”
One congresswoman, Barbara Lee, and many members of media and society are opposed to military action.
As a member of the media or even as supposedly free private citizens, what is alright for us to say? When is the right time to discuss foreign policy?
In time of crisis is it alright to abide by certain policies that limit our Constitutional rights?
Some would argue that it is. In order to become unified, some say, and to protect our country from dissension, it is alright to limit freedoms.
It is not!
Speech and debate are needed more than ever right now. When events as important as these happen it is crucial that all opinions are represented and expressed so we can make the most informed decision.
It should not rest on government officials, a handful at that, to decide the fate of our country without debate. It’s even worse if they do decide and we are not able to defend an adverse, not dissenting, opinion.
It is sad that the media is tied to the capitalist system that we pride ourselves on, thus compromising our voice in the fear money will stop flowing if our opinions do not represent those of our advertisers.
Opinions should be respected and criticized on both sides. We are responsible as readers and citizens to criticize not censor.
The freedom of speech is our livelihood, whenever it is compromised in anyway we should stand up and call censors on it. It is understood that unity is important right now but education is even more important.
It is funny that a campaign to defend our cherished freedoms would compromise them on our own soil.
As the First Amendment says, “Congress shall make no law respecting…or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”
Jason Cooper, a senior photojournalism major, is photography editor of the Campus Times. He can be reached by e-mail at cooperj@ulv.edu.
