In our American History 101 classes we have learned the importance of freedom of the press. In order to maintain a free democracy we need an educated electorate with a free and independent press at the helm. We take for granted that the news we hear and read is truly democratic, but in many ways the mass media is manipulated, censored and used as a propaganda tool instead of a vehicle of truth. The first thing that tyrants do is try to get control of the media.
   There are heroes in the news media as there are heroes in all walks of life. It sometimes takes brave news people who have to fight against the establishment, the status quo, political correctness and even their publishers. The current prominent newsperson that I would consider a hero that comes to mind is Lou Dobbs of CNN. Lou Dobbs is right on the mark and in tune with middle America. He has led a crusade to protect our borders, national sovereignty and American jobs. “I’m thrilled he’s giving this sort of attention to it,” said Robert Bruno, an associate professor of labor and industrial relations at the University of Illinois and a critic of outsourcing. He also called Dobbs’ work overall “extremely important and helpful.” “There is a person that is asking the right questions to the right people. ... This man is Lou Dobbs. He is the greatest voice for the American worker,” trumpets the Web site of the American Workers Coalition, identified as a small grass-roots group.
   Another news hero is Emmy winner ABC newsman John Stossel. The "20/20" co-anchor made a dramatic about-face when he realized that "less government is good government." He abandoned his liberal perspective, became a libertarian and paid a heavy price, he recently told NewsMax in an exclusive interview. “When Stossel changed his political stripes, suddenly the awards stopped coming, once-friendly producers shunned him and the liberal establishment struck back with a vengeance”
   Just as important as the Dobbs and the Stossel’s are the editors and writers of our local community newspapers. While the media is consistently being consolidated and bought up by corporations with ties to elite organizations, the role of our local and independent news professionals becomes even more important. The public needs to support our local newspapers and help keep them free and independent.

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John Stossel: Not Afraid to Tell the Truth       By Ed Sigall