letter to the editor

Our free press

Mon, 08/09/2021 - 3:00pm

Dear Editor:

Here in Maine, we are fortunate to have a vigorous and vital free press. We have a number of weeklies staffed by capable journalists faithfully reporting the doings of their local areas. We also enjoy several decent daily newspapers as well as television and radio reporting whose professional journalists bring us the news of the day accurately and objectively.

There is one standout news organization whose focus and commitment to investigative journalism deserves our attention and support; The Maine Monitor.

As investigative journalists, the Maine Monitor has had a significant impact, most recently with its investigation of the deficiencies in the public defenders system that led to new legislation addressing the issues of mismanagement and wrongdoing within the system. 

Lately they have filed suit against the York County Jail to release records which may support allegations of officers eavesdropping on confidential lawyer-client conversations, which, if true, is a horrific violation of our rights.

Democracy thrives when we have a robust and independent press who, as  Adolph S. Ochs put it, pursues the news “without fear or favor.” Independent journalism sheds light in the dark corners of governments, corporations and society itself that we may correct and improve our institutions and our society when we stray off the path of liberty and justice.

This ability of our society to hold up a mirror and have a warts and all unflattering view of ourselves may bring uncomfortable changes at times, but as W. Edwards Deming said, “change is optional, so is survival.”

Fred W. Nehring

Boothbay