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Marvin Kalb, noted broadcast journalist and currently lecturer in public policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, delivered a lecture about freedom of the press at UGA on April 11. Some highlights:
“How does one define freedom? It is the element that distinguishes the First Amendment and separates it from the other nine in the Bill of Rights. We have freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, the last of which does not exist as such. The First Amendment states quite explicitly that ‘Congress shall make no law abridging [these freedoms],’ but interestingly it does not define freedom; it is presumed to be a natural right. . . .
“During the Monica Lewinsky saga, the cream of the crop slopped around in this filth; the reporters lost their way, and the American people have lost their confidence in the press to do the right thing. It is doubtful the First Amendment would pass [a vote] today; more than half of the American people feel the press has too much freedom. Journalists lose the trust of the people if they lie to get the news. . . .
“Freedom is the single most precious commodity we have, and it defines our country more than anything else.” |
