A free and democratic society absolutely depends upon the existence of a free and unfettered press. Is there anyone who doubts that?

When a nation's leaders speak, would you rather read a reporter's description of the event, or the description as presented by that leader's office? Would you rather see photos of news events as taken by the press, or would you rather see photos taken by the leader's office?

In every generation, the leaders of democratic and free societies have sought to control the press, because it is the press that makes them look bad to their constituents. The news make much of elected officials who lie, cheat, and steal and get caught doing it - sometimes voters look with disfavor on such things. Is it any wonder that our elected officials would rather that not happen? Don't you think that our elected officials would hold all of their meetings in secret, with the votes unrecorded, no photos or television coverage - if they could?

Governments will always prefer to work in the dark, away from public scrutiny. It is their nature. News organizations will always prefer to expose what happens in those formerly-dark places - this is their nature. A free society depends upon both elected officials and a free press to keep them honest.

Now comes the Bush Administration, and although your correspondent is no 'Bush Basher', I do not condone or approve of what I am finding out about.

Photogs Slam White House Use of Handout Pictures

Photogs Slam White House Use of Handout Pictures January 30, 2006
By Joe Strupp, Editor &
Publisher
White House photographers aren't looking for a handout these days. In fact, they've gotten far too many. While the practice of providing news organizations with staged photos of events involving the president goes back decades, veteran shooters at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue say it has become almost a regular occurrence with the Bush Administration. A review of Associated Press archives found that during the entire eight years of the Clinton administration, only 100 handout photos of events were released to the press. During the first five years of Bush's presidency, more than 500 have been distributed.

The key is that each of these events was closed to news photographers.

The Bush Administration, apparently, has found a way to muzzle the press photo corps - just do an end-run around them. No more will the President have to suffer the indignity of a published photo showing a baby punching him in the nose...





Such photos will never be released! We'll forever be deprived of such opportunities. Such a loss.

However, we will also be deprived of photos like this...




And I have to tell you - the public does have a right to know - and the press has a right to publish.

Denying press photographers opportunities to attend public newsworthy events and providing stock, vetted, photos taken by one's pet photographers is unacceptable.

Write your Congresscritter and tell them.

Best,

Wiggy

posted by Unknown at 12:23 PM

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