FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Is Free Speech Being Strangled in Our Newsrooms?
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In one of our most recent blog posts,
"What's Free Speech Got to Do With It?", Praxis Circle discusses free speech on college campuses (or the lack thereof) and an alumni organization (AFSA) that has been formed to support it on several prestigious campuses.
Another of the fundamental rights encompassed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is freedom of the press. As on college campuses, a selected narrative is suppressing any attempts at presenting factual accounts of news. Praxis Circle has been fortunate to interview three distinguished Virginia journalists who have all personally observed this poor substitute for a truly free and objective press.
Our newest Contributor John Reid briefly describes his experiences in newsrooms that are narrative-driven and even notices the trend early in his career. Both Ross Mackenzie, former Editor of The Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Jim Bacon, founder and publisher of Bacon's Rebellion, corroborate in their interviews that what is happening at colleges and universities to suppress free speech is also happening to the press. Ross explains how rare it is to find a conservative in newsrooms, as well as in "the academy, mainline churches, and Hollywood." He further describes this as "the leftist hegemon which shapes the culture."
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John Reid, Host of Richmond's Morning News on Newsradio 1140 WRVA |
Jim has similar observations. He points out that newsrooms are now "driven by editorial narratives" and are "unbelievably biased." He laments that this situation forces him to provide the other side of issues instead of simply giving objective coverage.
Although the First Amendment states that "...Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..." Praxis Circle continues to note that our nation's academic institutions and newsrooms (along with mainline churches and Hollywood as Ross states) are effectively suppressing those very freedoms themselves. It's tragic.
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"Man is the storytelling animal, the only creature on earth that told itself stories to understand what kind of creature it was. The story was his birthright, and nobody could take it away."
Salman Rushdie in Joseph Anton, A Memoir, which tells of his nine-year battle for free speech after having a fatwa issued against him by Ayatollah Khomeini.
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What We're Reading
(and Writing):
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Doug explains with clarity what Praxis Circle is all about, from the meaning of the word "praxis," to the inspiration provided by Pope John Paul II, and on to Praxis Circle's ultimate goals.
As stated so well in the article, "We need revitalized thinking now more than ever to bridge divides, reach agreement, and move to a better place."
We'd love for you to join us in examining and constructing worldviews through in-depth conversations with thought-leaders as well as each other!
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Who We're Watching:
Pano Kanelos, former president of St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, along with fellow founders such as former Harvard president Lawrence Summers and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, have announced the founding of a new school, the University of Austin.
With the opening statements, "We're building a university dedicated to the fearless pursuit of truth" and "We're done waiting for the legacy universities
to right themselves. And so we are building anew," Kanelos and the founding trustees shot their opening volley in the free speech wars occurring on college campuses across the country.
Praxis Circle is delighted that one of our Contributors, Dr. Deirdre McCloskey, has joined the Board of Advisors at UATX. We at PC are supportive of all efforts to promote and preserve free speech everywhere, but especially on our campuses, and applaud both Pano
Kanelos and Deirdre. We encourage everyone to follow UATX's opening closely!
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