” Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them.
” Thomas Jefferson, letter (1787)
In a society where social media propagates vomit to be regurgitated, one can lose the fact that a newspaper plays a critical role in its community and in democracy, abiding the foundation of the United States Constitution.
A mentor once asked me, ” do you know why there is ˜white is in the flag?
I responded that it probably had to do with souls of soldiers, or a connection to religion.
Smug-eyed, he looked at me and replied, ” The stars on the flag represent the states (legislative), independently placed and upheld by the blue who are sworn to protect our individual freedoms of life and liberty (judicial). And the red is to remind us of the bloodshed of those who fought for the privilege of living in this great nation (Executive). However, the often forgotten, and most important of all, the white, the primary foundation of the flag itself that represents the independent and fourth estate (the press).
The fourth estate, ” the press,” is the guardian of truth and has a special obligation to the public. The press acts as a counterbalance, an opposite force that is to report, verify, and question matters of governance, public matters – as well as commercial ones – conducted by the powers we the people have entrusted it with and bestowed upon.
It appears that this publication hurt the feelings of some government officials. Several spoke with a forked-tongue and labeled this publication, and its associates, as ” bullies,” ” liars,” ” biased,” and ” only in it for the money.
Foremost, as the owner and publisher of this newspaper with an annual personal salary of $14,000, I am not in this business for the money. Trust me, I would make more money working part-time washing dishes at Market Street Grill than my current 125 hours a week to produce this very publication that many have come to love, trust, and rely upon.
We are all biased and prejudiced to some extent. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as we are aware and mindful of our purpose. As journalists, we have the obligation of maintaining neutral objectivity in the critical gathering of news. As a matter of fact, as the press, we have a professional obligation to do so.
The framed Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics hangs on my wall to act as a reminder and as a resource from time-to-time to guide my process of gathering, reporting, and interpreting information.
Today, I refer to these bullet points:
Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.
Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the publics business is conducted in the open, and the public records are open to all.
The City of Colusa is going down a path of delusion and corruption – at the expense of the taxpayer. Secrecy is brewed behind closed doors in meetings in which the City Manager guides the decision process to propagate interests. Funds are being washed and dried through public displays and parties for the elite few. While streets deteriorate, and staff is stretched thin, its administration pats their back with a mendacious wand.
You have the right to know how every dollar is spent, and where, when, who, and how the decisions to spend them were made. Why would you not want that?
Secrecy is like rust on a boat: ” If you dont take care of it soon enough, youll be sorry.
This newspaper has never been the aggressive watchdog it could be; instead we take the collected approach of only filling our inkwells when the duty is called upon us.
Act Independently: Deny favored treatment to advertiser, donors, or any other special interest, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.
In an act to intimidate us, public officials hinted at pulling their financial support from this publication, including that for public, private and philanthropic interests; it has fallen on deaf ears.
We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. Furthermore, we will continue to be the watchdog our subscribers have petitioned, and the purveyors of open government.
To our elected officials, if you are uncomfortable with being inked in this publication, all I ask is for you to conduct the public business lawfully and in an open forum…or release yourself from your duties for a more qualified candidate. –