As if we don’t have enough laws and regulations limiting our freedom and open-ended society, along come some politicians seeking to further erode the precious constitutional right to a free press. Although its premise describes a change in the manner in which we receive our news, the change is no threat to the flow of information available to the public.
In fact, it’s my opinion that more of the public is better informed today because of the electronic revolution. It’s actually easier and faster to keep informed. That’s why the print industry is losing its traditional audience, except for relics like myself who grew up and were educated reading real books and researching subjects the hard way. I still feel more comfortable with a printed manuscript before me.
However, regardless of your choice or source of information, the suggestion for government funding is a first and major step to ultimately controlling the press. We already have too much interchange of government officials with private sector news media, which clearly taints the quality and authenticity of the information. So keep the free press free and keep what is left of the precious print institution.
Louis F. D’Emilio
Penn Township, Westmoreland County