Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Feb 2, 2019 Omaha World-Herald
Student journalists testify in favor of bill that would give student publications greater freedom
“Speaking today makes me nervous for my job security,” said Lori Larson, the North Platte High School journalism teacher.
“I do not want to dumb down the curriculum just to make everything look great,” she said.
“Proponents of LB 206 argued that young journalists should be taught to speak truth to power, not that it’s OK to censor.”
Love to see more press freedom for hometown pride-oriented small town papers, large newspapers and TV news folks. Unfortunately, they seem to have moved away from asking questions.
Local stories where questions go unasked:
Oak Harbor – State Of The Art Sewage Treatment Plant
How long has Oak Harbor been an unsafe location for recreational shellfish harvesting?
If the state of the art sewage treatment plant went online in November- how was sewage being processed last summer or last year?
Feb 3, 2019 Peninsula Daily News
Troopers use CPR, naloxone to save a life
A life and death situation. No time for newspeople to report later on what drug or drugs were involved here.
The press informs less on opioids – more on salads:
CBS News Jan 25, 2019
Whole Foods recalls products with spinach due to salmonella risk
Very specific info on what to avoid and how to stay safe.
US Border Patrol, Port Angeles, WA
An upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility. Secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin in the community, no cross-border USBP arrest in more than 8 years, fraudulent overtime claims, 1,200-horsepower interceptor boats and zero questions from the press.
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound heroin?
Even one time?
Newspeople remain silent.
Port Angeles Heroin – Newspeople Remain Silent
Related:
Public School Lockers- teaching students to have a chip on their shoulder
Newspeople Ask Questions If It’s A Sports Story
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
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Photo-
Early winter morning- Point Wilson, Washington