Current Events. Five Dead, Seven Injured.

Five Dead, Seven Injured.

Annapolis, MD and the First Amendment

A survey of the current news is just heartbreaking, whichever side of the aisle you sit on politically.  The immigration issues are getting the attention they deserve, so I would like to focus our attention on one news item that I believe will get swept aside quickly—as it has in the past.

Last week, five journalists at a community publication in Annapolis, MD, were gunned down in cold blood, and seven others were injured in the rampage.  The motivation of the shooter was personal revenge against Capital Gazette, publisher of multiple community newspapers in Maryland, for an article that it had published depicting the shooter’s conviction in an harassment case.  There was a long term history of hateful incidents, including an unsuccessful lawsuit for defamation and threats, on the part of the shooter.

There are several issues that this incident brings to light—armed crazy people for one, but I want to focus our attention on just one issue that pertains to another of our unalienable rights—particularly timely as we approach our nation's 242nd Anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence--the First Amendment—which protects freedom of the press.

When I read about this incident, my first thought was that it was a result of the vitriol expounded against the press and “fake news.”  Although so immensely moved and saddened by this occurrence, I was glad and relieved that it wasn’t attributed to the overt animosity expressed towards a free press by people in power.  But, I also had to ask myself if others will be emboldened or “encouraged” by the notion that it is the journalists that are reporting that are the bad guys.  A troubling thought indeed.

But right now, something that I rarely if ever think about has come to light—that journalists, even in the sleepy towns across America where local publishers dutifully put out weekly papers—that local residents read cover to cover-- are also threatened with violence.  People get steamed up about issues reported that affect their “freedoms,” their reputations, property values, taxes, schools, local politicians, friends and children.  It sometimes gets personal.

Sadly, we have come to recognize the dangers involved with journalists embedded in dangerous locations—say Afghanistan.  Losing a journalist anywhere is truly devastating.  They are driven by that First Amendment right we hold so dear, but mostly take for granted.  In fact all journalists—good ones that is—are driven by their commitment to uphold it.  We are so fortunate to have publications that have stood the test of time, like The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and so many others.  We see their reporters in the spotlight and on the line.  However, we don’t really think about their jobs being dangerous unless they are reporting on a crime family, and certainly don't think of the jobs of those that work tirelessly at local community newspapers as dangerous.  But in fact, they are—like their larger counterparts, not only do they face financial challenges, threats to their existence if they cannot keep up with the trends of rapidly changing demands in news channel delivery, ability to stay relevant while holding on to advertisers and looking for other new revenue streams;  but they also face the threat of physical violence, and yes, even death as they do their jobs—and answer the passion to protect and deliver on every American’s First Amendment right.  While we think about this, I’d like to extend sincere thanks and appreciation for the local publications that continue to stand up for truth as they serve our local communities. With special shouts out to:

The Press News Group (Southampton Press, East Hampton Press, 27East)

TimesReview (Suffolk Times, NewsReview, Shelter Island Reporter, Northforker)

RiverheadLocal

Sag Harbor Express

East Hampton Star

The Independent East End

Hudson Valley Media Group (Beth Kalet)