Bill Thomas: Keeping 1st Amendment alive

By Bill Thomas
Record-Eagle editor

June 06, 2009 09:20 pm

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I recently had an opportunity to discuss the importance of citizen participation in government with members of the Grand Traverse League of Women Voters. The occasion was the League's annual dinner, and I was honored to receive the group's inaugural "Making Democracy Work" award.

I told League members I was proud and humbled at the recognition. Proud because I have the great fortune to lead one of the best newsrooms in this state. And humbled because ours is a community rich in its dedication to the principles of the First Amendment.

In preparing my remarks, I thought of so many in our area who fight on a daily basis -- as the League's new award states -- "to safeguard democracy."

People like former Gov. and Mrs. William Milliken, who, resisting constant partisan pressure, set the gold standard for honesty, decency and civility in public life;

Like Bill Boltres, of Acme Township, who fights so valiantly to protect his township from secret and illegal electoral coup d'etats by special interests;

Like Grand Traverse County Commissioner Chris Maxbauer, who endured stifling political pressure, sexist ridicule and endless verbal insults in order to open our governmental processes;

Like circuit judges Thomas Power and Philip Rodgers, who even though they have strong northern Michigan roots and acquaintances, are unafraid to make solid and objective decisions in their courtrooms;

Like attorney Jim Olson, who fights a continuing, lonely, uphill battle to protect our precious water resources from commercial exploitation;

Like Justice Betty Weaver, who helped focus a spotlight on intrigue, chaos and checkbook justice on the state Supreme Court;

Like members of the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, who steadfastly advocate for the preservation of our region's natural resources;

Like filmmaker, author and community benefactor Michael Moore, who withstands endless demonization and even threats of physical violence to exercise his -- and ultimately our -- Constitutional rights.

And, yes, the Grand Traverse Area League of Women Voters, which dedicates itself to effective government through voter awareness and education. The local League identifies issues in our community and state, educates the public about them and assists in solutions. We've all benefited from its efforts.

These and many others are truly courageous folks who fight the good fight to keep the five freedoms of the First Amendment -- and indeed the purpose of our government -- alive. Were it not for their efforts, government transparency would be exactly where so many special-interests would consign it -- the trash bin.

I told the League that I fear newspapers' role as "watchdogs" of the people's business, the conduct of public affairs, is in jeopardy.

It's endangered, among other reasons, because the public increasingly doesn't understand the Constitution and does not appreciate our First Amendment role.

It's amazing the number of times I field calls from readers who argue a newspaper doesn't have the "right" to publish a story, a commentary or even a cartoon.

Their argument is not just that they disagree with a point of view or object to a story. That, of course, is fair game. They dangerously believe that newspapers, in our representative democracy, are -- or should be -- banned from printing material to which they object.

It boils down to this: We're pressured to publish only stories and commentary they determine to be acceptable. Essentially, in their perfect world they would allow publication only of news with which they agree.

"You should reflect your readership," I'm often instructed by disgruntled readers. That "readership" turns out to be people who agree with them.

Compounding the problem is the fact that news gathering -- particularly aggressive watchdog reporting -- is expensive. News departments are expense centers, not revenue generators. We cost money. And we upset apple carts, which, in turn, often costs our companies more money.

It's a fact that soft feature stories about a record-setting pumpkin or a tasty snow cone -- while an important part of a balanced news menu -- cost less to report and publish than do investigations of public wrongdoing.

Make no mistake, though. Solid, aggressive journalism is still being practiced. Ask the mayor of Detroit. You'll recall that newspaper reporters in that city helped boot him from office and send him to jail.

Still, hard-nosed reporting is increasingly in short supply. Profit too often trumps principle.

That's why the work of the League of Women Voters and other like-minded organizations and individuals increasingly is essential. They must continue to educate and inform the public; continue to demand openness and accountability from government at all levels; and continue to insist that news organizations across the board uphold our Constitutional public trust.

If they don't -- and we don't -- our future as a democracy is at risk.

Bill Thomas is editor of the Record-Eagle.

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