"Half the truth is often a great lie."Benjamin Franklin
Sardonically christened "Pravda," or "Truth," the Communist Party mouthpiece is still functioning today in the Russian Federation. Whether or not it has a better handle on truth is hard to say, but current events are such to make one sometimes wonder if Pravda-like truth is now being served up in the U.S.A.
Just last week the current ratings for the World Free Press Index were announced. Of the 177 countries included in the 2014 index, Finland, the Netherlands and Norway led the pack. From 2013, the U.S. had fallen 14 spaces to 46th, just behind former communist hellhole Romania.
What, for goodness sakes, is going on here? Granted that a good bit of our government has gone bonkers over revelations concerning the NSA and other various and sundry leaks; but, for what purportedly is the most free society on earth to finish behind Romania is preposterous. Could it be that all the emphasis on politically correct communication is finally chipping away at the 1st Amendment?
It was once assumed that a free press was a major American bulwark against political tyranny; but, now, schools of journalism seem more intent on turning out automatons who are willing to go along to get along. And, as for those who step out of line, there are very real possibilities of jail time for not complying with judicial ukases to reveal sources and implicate innocent parties. Then, too, it should not be forgotten that most American newspapers are controlled part and parcel by powerful family and commercial combines, which are all too often willing to hedge on the truth in order to reap financial and political gain.
Another shocker during the last week involved the story of how Admiral William H. McRaven, who commanded special operations at the time of the attack on the Abbottobad, Pakistan, compound that resulted in the death of Osama bin-Laden, ordered that all photographs having to do with bin-Laden's death should be destroyed. Apparently, Admiral McRaven and his like have all too conveniently forgotten that it is American taxpayers who pay their salaries and, in effect, underwrite all the operations undertaken by the U.S.military. Surely, the underwriters are worthy of unassailable proof that the maneuver they financed has been carried out as announced.
Yes, Admiral McRaven's order stinks, just as all of the dickering with the truth of Benghazi stinks. Despite congressional hearings on the tragedy of Benghazi, the powers that be have evidently put out a "stonewall" order that has muffled the truth. Educated speculation has it, though, that the Department of State has not been forthcoming because the U.S. compound in Benghazi was being used as a staging ground for the procurement and shipment of weapons to Syria rebels, many of whom are aligned with al-Qaeda. For this to have been divulged during an election year might have proved disastrous for an administration looking forward to a second term. But, of course, in the brave new world of political correctness, truth must play second fiddle to political considerations.
In a free society, such as the one envisioned by our own American Republic, a free and untrammeled press is a sine qua non of liberty. By a free press, tendencies of government to be self-perpetuating and overbearing with individual freedoms can, at least theoretically, be reined in. For government to assume a stance of primacy and deception over those it purports to serve is a travesty of the worst kind. If we are to survive as a free society, the absolutes of ethical journalistic practice must be reaffirmed and defended. In the preamble of the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists, it is stated:
"....public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further these ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues."
May American journalists rededicate themselves to these principles, and may Americans encourage them in their necessary task.
Deo Vindice!
May God bless Texas, and may the Lone Star State remain forever red!
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